FEDERATED
EDITED BY
H. N. RIDLEY, m.a., f.l-s.
Director of Gardens , S. S .
Vol. IV.
New Series.
Singapore:
Printed at the Government Printing Office
1905.
Index to Vol. IV.
Page
Agricultural Exhibition at Kwala Lumpur . ... 230
Agricultural Exhibition at Penang ... 1 61, 238, 333
Agricultural Society, proposed ... ... ... 49, 162
Agriculture, History and development of, by H. N. Ridley 292
Anonapalustris, by H. N. Ridley ... . .. 481
Aroid cultivation in Singap >re ... ... ... 254
Aroids, List ot, by H. iN. Ridley ... ... 25
Baru, Hibiscus tiliaceus ... . . ... 272
Bat Guano, (by Prof. W. Dunstan) ... ... 394
Bean Cheese, fruit used for coloring ... ... 46
Beetle. Red Coconut ... ... ... ... 272
Casuarina equisetifolia, by R. D. Hudson ... 11
Tile pots for ... ... ... ... 57
Caterpillar attacking Tobacco ... ... 392
Citronelja Oil, analysis of, by Prof. W. Duns tan ... 398
Connaropsis Griffithii (by H. N. Ridley) ... ... 155
Cotton, a sample grown in Singapore ... ... 5
Cultivation of, in Malay States ... ... 266
Report on a sample of ... ... ... 269
Damar tapping, by S. A. MOORHOUSE ... ... 124
Dindings Timber trade, by V. P. Borges . ... 41
Mangroves in, by R. Scott ... ... 124
Export telegrams... 22, 54, 82, 129, 275, 321, 36^ 405, 446, 490
Fibre, by H. P. EdwaRDES ... ... ... 43
Fibres, by H. N. Ridley ... ... ... 43, 213
Fibre of Melochia Corchorifolia ... ... M 267
Fibre and Hemp Industry, by C. J. Schirmer ... 269
Ficus elastica, Coagulation of, by E. S. Carr ... 224
tapping, by R. Pears ... ... 78
Forestry in the Malay Peninsula ... ... ... 317
Glycine hispida, by H, N. Ridley ... ... 49
Gramnatophyllum speeiosum, by IT. N. Ridley ... 141
Gutta percha, by A. M. Burn MURDOCH ... ... 33
Hemp and Fibre Industry, by C. J. Schirmer ... 269
IV
Page.
Hevea, see Rubber
Hibiscus tiliacieus, by H. N. Ridley
India rubber, see Ficus elastica ...
Isoptera borneensis, by H. N. Ridley
Kumus ( Shorea ciliata ), by H. N v . Ridley
Laportea crenulata, by H Furnivall
Low, Sir Hugh
272
219
63
163
2 39
400
124
3
219
394
T 55
Mango trees, Pests of, by J. Hewitt
M angroves in the Dindings, by R. SCOTT ...
Mangroves in the Malay States, by H. FURNIVALL
Market Report, Singapore ?’ 5o> 81 > 128, 243, 274, 320, 30b,
[404, 445.
Meteorological Returns 20, 25, 52, 57, Bo, 85, 127, 132, 165, 246,
[278, 324, 367, 372, 4°3> 444. 449.
487, 496
Minyak Tengkawang
Para Rubber, see Rubber
Patchouli Oil, Report on, by Prof. W. Dunstan
P upoi, by H. N. Ridley
Rambong, see Ficus elastica.
Rubber, Position of, among cultivated plants, by H.
Ridley ...
Planting in Johore, by R. W. BURGESS
Vines in South Annam
in the Amazons
in Sarawak
in Africa ...
Introduction of, to the Straits Settlements
in the Malay Peninsula
Soils
Photographs of •••
Cultivation and Preparation of, by VV. H.
Johnson, (Review)
Small rubber estate, Profits of
Taping ... ^ •
— Tapping, by W. S. Todd
Peculiar flow of latex in . . .
Experiments in Botanic Gardens, Singapore
Drying of ... ,
Seeds
Germination of seeds
. Oil and oil cake of seeds
Tapping Scar on old wood
N.
- 381
1
10
75
365
387
39 °
241
387
401
46
218
226
47
40
98. 144.
[285, 424
121
76, 242
159
76
391
V
Rubber Mites in Nursery, by S. Arden
Fungus on leaves of
Fungi on
Bark Fungus on
Canker of
Damage by Porcupines , , .
T ermites attacking
Coffee Locust on
Slugs and Crickets
Ceylon rubber
Para beaten by Ceylon
Machines
Midlie’s Machine
Washed, by P. J. Burgess
Plantation on the European Continent
Sheet, Manufacturers’ Opinions on
Industry, Report on, by P, J, Burgess
Analysis of
Sample of, Note on
Sales
Price of
Decline in
Market Report of
Sanseviera Zeylanica
Shorea ciliata, by H. N. Ridley ...
Soybeans, by H. N. Ridley
Termites
file pots for Casuarina seedlings, by
Timber trade in tne Bindings, by V. P. Borges
Tobacco, Caterpillar attacking
Trade in Straits Settlements, 1904
Water and its relation to plant life, by S. ARDEN
Weather, see Meteorological Returns,
Weber, Dr., Death of ...
Page
229
08, 271
384
423
74
393
78, r 59
98
457
122
72
... 225, 407
242
2 2 6
389
220
459
272
42, 160
I22 < 2 73, 392
69
97
484
123
63
49
78 , 159
67
41
392
482
363, 478
123
Hates l^II^II! Gramnatophyllum speciosum
IV Old and Recent Tapping scars
V 1 wo forms of Tapping
140
226
432
cr^o-i
No. i.j
JANUARY, 1905.
[Vol. IV.
AGRICULTURAL BULLETIN
OF THE
STRAITS
AND
FEDERATED MALAY STATES.
3 -
4 -
8 .
9.
10.
11.
12.
13-
EDITED BY
H. N. RIDLEY, m.a.f.ls.
Director of Botanic Gardens , S. S
CONTENTS.
Notes on Planting Para Rubber in Johon ...
Mangrove Swamps in the Federated Malay States, b>
H. Fur. \ i vale
On a Sample of Cotton grown in Singapore
Fibres — ( Continued )
Rubber Vines in South Annam
A Memorandum of Casuarina Equisetifolia, its Cultiva-
tion and Treatment
Coagulation of the Latex of Ficus Elastica, by P. J
Burgess ... ... ...
Miscellaneous, Notices to Subscribers
Rainfall for January, 1905
Singapore Market Report
Export Telegram to Europe and America ...
Meteorological Returns
Meteorological Observations, General Hospital, Serein
ban, for the month of December, 1904 ...
1 AGE.
I
3
5
_ 6
10
1 1
18
19
20
21
32
Annual Subscription— Three Dollars.
Single Copy— Fifty Cents.
(Annual Subscription — Outside the Peninsula — Three Dollars
and fifty cents.)
India and Ceylon 5 Rupees. Europe —7 Shillings.
I o be purchased at the Botanic Gardens, Singapore,
or from Messrs. Kelly & Walsh, Limited,
No. 32, Raffles Place and at Orchard Road, Singapore.
SINGAPORE
Pkimkd a 1 the Government Printing Office.
u I M
NOTICE.
Thf Scientific and Technical Departments of the
Imperial Institute.
His Excellency the Governor has received a despatch from the
Right Hon’ble the Secretary of State for the Colonies calling-
attention to the advantages offered by the Imperial Institute to
Merchants, Planters and others, who may wish to have samples
submitted to scientific experts for opinion as to their commercial
value, &c. The following extracts from a Memorandum published
by the Authorities of the Imperial Institute will give an idea of the
work undertaken and carried on there.
“The Scientific and Technical Department of the Institute has
“ been established to acquire information by special enquiries and
u h .y experimental research, technical trials and commercial valua-
“ lion regarding new or little known natural or manufactured pro-
“ ducts of the various Colonies and Dependencies of the British
“Empire and of Foreign Countries, and also regarding known
“ products procurable from new sources, and local products of
“ manufacture which it is desired to export. This work is carried
“ out with a view to the creation of new openings in trade, or the
‘ promotion of industrial developments.”
2 * hi an extensive and well equipped series of Research Labor
atories, a numerous staff of skilled chemists under the direction of
Professor WYNDH AM R. DUNSTAN, M. A., F.R.S., carry out the
investigation of the chemical constitution and properties of new
dye-stuffs, tanning materials, seeds and food-stuffs, oils, gums and
resins, fibres, timbers, medicinal plants and products, with a view
to their commercial utilization. Whenever necessary these mate-
rials are submitted to special scientific experts, by whom they are
made the subject of particular investigation or practical tests. Re-
ports are also obtained from technical or trade experts in regard
to the probable commercial or industrial value of any such products,
while full information is collected from official or other trustworthy
sources regarding the probable extent and cost of available supplies.
Reports on the results of enquiries or experimental investigations
are supplied as a rule, without charge, but should special expenses
be incurred in connection with any such reports, or' with the com-
mercial value of particular materials or manufactured products,
which the Council do not consider themselves warranted in meet-
ing, a statement of such outlays will be furnished, for repayment,
when the Reports are supplied. Should an investigation or report
of exceptional character be asked for by ft Government Depart-
ment, an estimate of the attendant expenses will be submitted,
with a view to ascertain whether authority for such, expenditure
will be given. 1
11
, The Federated Malay States Government has undertaken to
grant a sum of £100 a year for 5 years to the Department with a
view to the careful investigation and commercial development ol
the mineral resources of the States.
The Government Geologist is collecting specimens for chemical
examination and after analysis the Imperial Institute winch is in
very complete touch with the principal manufacturing and other
industries of the United Kingdom, will bring the specimens before
manufacturers and others for trial with a view to their commercial
development,
it is expected that this action will do much to help in finding
a market for new products and developing the markets ior those
already exploited.
/
\
C
t A
AGRICULTURAL BULL
AND
JANUARY, 1905.
NOTES ON PLANTING PARA RUBBER
IN JOHORE.
By R. w. Burgess.
Hollenbury Estate,
Muar, December 21st,
Having during the last seven months had an opportunity of
observing various methods of planting out rubber in practice, a
few notes on the same may be of interest to those who, like myself,
are starting the culture of Hevea Brasiliensis. The three usual'
methods are, planting stumps, transplanting seedlings, and plant-
ing seed at stake. To take first the method I believe to be most
commonly adopted, viz* that of planting stumps. The stumps are
pulled up from the nursery when from 6 to 12 months old, during
wet weather, when the ground is well soaked, the leaves, small
roots, the end of the tap root and top shoot, are cut off with prun-
ing scissors, and the bare stumps are transported in bundles of
about roo to the field in which they are to be planted. Holes about
one foot square, and the same depth are dug, (larger or smaller
according to the nature of the soil) in the centre of which a small
hole is made with a stake, deep enough to take the tap root. The
stump is placed in position and the hole filled in with surface earth,
and pressed well down with the feet, leaving about three feet of the
stump above ground. These stumps appear to retain their vitality
for many months, even under very unfavourable weather condi-
tions. Some that were planted out in April of, this year have had
to contend with five months of exceedingly dry weather, which
set in immediately after planting, during which time there was
very litHe sign of n v growth. In some cases, feeble, pale co-
loured shoots were thrown out from the top, before the root
growth had started. In these cases ,m ming scissors were used,
and the stump cut back, below the fake, shoot. As soon as
weather conditions improved, growth was very rapid, many stumps
that appeared quite dead throwing up strong, vigorous, dark
coloured shoots from near the root, many of those planted in
2
April being now over io feet high. The percentage of failures
varies from about^o per cent, in the dryest places, to io per cent,
in places where more moisture was retained in the soil.
As regards planting seed at stake, this method was tried on a
io acre field, 1,936 seeds being planted singly, 15 feet apart. This
was not by any means a success, as the seeds suffered heavily
from the depredations of rats, ants, etc., as soon as germination
had begun. I found in many cases that the young shoot had been
bitten off, and carried some distance from the seed, the inside or
the seed shell being in every case full of small red ants. In some
cases, whe’-e the young shoot had begun to root itself, the shoot
was left in position, and the seed itself carried away. I11 these
cases the plants survived for several days, sometimes developing
a few very small and sickly looking leaves, but eventually died.
In other cases the tops of the plants were eaten away as soon as
they appeared above ground. I noticed that when this occurred,
the plant usually sent up two shoots in place of the one destroyed,
neither of which would show good growth. In some parts, I believe,
it is usual to plant the seeds in bamboo pots filled with earth, the
pots consisting of a section of bamboo, a few inches in length open
at each end, the pot containing one or more seeds, to be planted
at stake, but of this, method I have had no experience. Out of the
1 936 seeds planted at stake, 1,489 had to be replaced the follow-
ing month. This was done with seedlings, from a month to six
weeks old, transplanted from the nursery. This, so far as I have
seen, appears to he the most satisfactory method when possible.
The plants are taken out when about 9 to 12 high, and when
the first leaves are fully developed, but before new leaves have
started. The tool in use here is a cylinder of brass, 5 high and
> diameter sharpened at the bottom edge, with two side supports
about 2' 6" high, to which is fixed a cross handle at the top. 1 his
is placed over" the plant and pressed into the soil and twisted, and
the plant lifted out, with a circular block of earth attached. I his
is disevio’aged from the transplanter by means of a small slab ot
wood, to which a circular wooden block is attached, corresponding
with the inner diameter of the transplanter. The transplanter, con-
taining the soil and plant is placed over this block and pressed
down." By this method a coolie can easily take out 400 to 500
plants a day. This appears to me to be the ideal method of plant-
ing out, for manv reasons. First, any failures in germination o
seeds will occur in the nursery. Second, failures after planting out
are reduced to a minimum (in the present instance being only about
one per cent). Third, no large holes need be dug to receive the plant.
Fourth, there is absolutely no check to the growth of the plant, as
is bound to be the case when planting stumps even under the most
favourable conditions. Many plants that were taken out in Octo-
ber when less than one foot high are now over three feet. It may ot
course be argued that the stumps, when they start, make a stronger
and stouter plant, but it appears to me that the growth of the
young plant could, if necessary, be checked quite as easily by
3
pruning, without disturbing the root. Of course, transplanting is
. not always possible, as it depends on several conditions. The soil
in the nursery must be soft enough to allow the transplanter to be
pressed in easily, and, on the other hand, must be firm enough to
retain its shape when removed from the transplanter. Again, it is
/ obviously not always possible to have plants of the right age in the
nursery, and the nurseries must not be too far away from the field
to be planted. Doubtless, in planting up on a large scale, stump-
ing is the most practicable method. With the exception of white
ant, and a certain green beetle, found by Mr. ROGER PEARS, and
already described in the Bulletin, no serious pests have yet made
their appearance in this district. Some weeks since, I found a
small dark brown beetle feeding on the leaves, and sent a specimen
down to the Editor of the Bulletin. Since then 1 have found many
more of them, but in nearly all instances, it has been a case of
“the biter bit/’ The insect, in biting into the leaf or stem, has
caused a drop of latex to exude, which has coagulated, and held
it fast by the nippers. I have found as many as six of these insects
on a small shoot about three inches long, some alive and some dead,
but all stuck fast and quite unable to escape, thus clearly showing
one of the natural functions of the latex.
R. W. BURGESS.
4
MANGROVE SWAMPS IN THE FEDERATED
MALAY STATES.
By H. PtJRNIVALL.
Many trees in the mangrove swamps are used for firewood,
fishing stakes and for building houses. The wood of the Tumu
tree ( Bruguiera Gymnorhizci) and Tengah tree ( Ceriops caudal-
Icand) make the best firewood. The bark of the Tengah is used
for tanning, it is greatly to be regretted that so far the manufacture
^ of tannin extract from the bark Rad never been taken up by any
I large firm, the only work done on these lines, is done by Chinamen
in a very small way. Thousands o/ pikuls are thrown away every
year. 1 he following specimens grow in salt swamps : —
Bakau Akik, Rhizophora conjugata \
Bakau Minyak, a variety of conjugata , not named ;
Bakau Korap, Rhizophora mucronata ;
Bakau Buros, Bruguiera c ary ophyll aides ,
Tumu, Bruguiera gyrnnorhiza ;
Langgadei, Bruguiera parviflora ;
'fen gah, Ceriops candolleana ;
Nerei, Carapa vwlitccensis ;
Api Api, Avicennia officinalis \
Berembong ( Sonneratia apetala ) Perapat, Bakuta ( Cerbera
Odollam') and Kadaku, the last two named- grow to a height of
twelve feet, the leaves are similar to the Berembong leaf, only a lit-
4
tie larger. Nibong Oncospermct tigillaria , and Nipah, Nipa fruticans ,
are also to be seen in the swamps. The names of some of the
mangrove trees in Selangor differ to the Perak names, viz . : —
Perak, Bakau Korap, Selangor, Bakau Itam.
Do. do. Minyak do. do. Puteh.
Do. do. Buros do. do. Belukap.
The commonest tree is Bakau Korap (/?. mucronata ) which is
easily recognised by its stiff leaves, which are broader, and shorter
than those of the others, Bakau Akit appears to grow straighter and
quicker, Berembong, Bakuta and Kadaku seeds are eaten by Ma-
lays. They also make a vegetable out of langgadei and buros seeds.
An interesting experiment is being made at Port Weld, Perak, an
experimentarplantation on a very small scale has been made with
the object of determining the rate of growth of the different kinds
of mangrove, measurements of seedlings will be taken every six
months. The following specimens have been planted, Bakau Korap,
Bakau Minyak, Bakau Akik, Langgadei, Tengah, Buros and Tumu.
Measurements of some of the seedlings, which have been planted
.'our months, have been taken, the average growth of Bakau Akik
seedlings, are one inch and Tumu one and a-hali inch per mensem.
The seeds when planted were measured, height, girth and age
being taken. No disease has been seen in the mangrove forests,
but dead trees are common which presumably have been struck by
lightning or died by old age. There are thousands of mosquitoes,
even in" the day time, in the swamps. Chinese do not appear to
mind them. The most effective way of keeping them off one is to
have an old kerosine oil tin filled with bark and “ make smoke.”
The mangrove tree is slow growing as far as known; it takes a tree
about 20 years to attain a 9" diameter.
Method and cost of Extraction , — The trees are felled and cut up
into billets or short lengths in situ and then taken out to the main
streams by means of small canals or ditches which «are dug in the
mangrove swamps. Small boats are used for this purpose. . In the
remote portions the work of removal only goes op at high tide, in
places to which no creeks penetrate, on some of the mangrove
islands, it will be necessary* 16 construct small tramways. The
work* is chiefly carried on by Chinese coolies* and a few Malays,
the former live in large “ Kongsis ” to which all provisions and
water for drinking and cooking has to be brought by boat for long
distances. A Chinese cooly will cut about 4,000, ten kati billets
per mensem, for which his Towkay pays him $1 1 per thousand bil-
lets. A large Chinese sampan will hold about 1,000, ten kati billets
and a small sampan 600 billets of the same size. For transporting
firewood from Trong Island to Port Weld, about 13 miles, sampan
men are paid at the rate of $3.80 cents per 1000, ten kati billets.
As many as eight or twelve trips can be made per mensem.
Animal life in the Mangrove Swamps , — Shellfish abound, birds,
king-fishers, pigeon, plover, and storks are plentiful, there is also
a small harmless green snake to be met with. Monkeys, wild pig
5
also tigers have been seen on the islands and mainland. Upon
Klang Island, in Selangor, there is a large herd of elephants which
has been there for many years.
H. FURNIVALL,
Assistant Conservator,
Federal Bakau Forests.
ON A SAMPLE OF COTTON GROWN IN
SINGAPORE.
The following letter received by Mr. Vade possesses some inter-
est and is thus published :
The cotton plants in question were grown by Mr, VADE in his
garden in Tanglin. There were about a dozen of them cultivated
in beds as ornamental plants, 'Tie variety appears to be one of
the American cottons and resembles a strain cultivated in the
Botanic Gardens, Singapore, which was received from India. It is
very different from Sea Island cotton and also from Egyptian,
The flowers are pale yellow with a distinct purpie spot at the base
of each petal. The continuous flowering referred to as an abnor-
mality in the letter is not unusual in this country. It is due to the
continuous rainy seasons here and the absence of a dry period.
It is one of the objections to cotton-growing so near the equator,
for the crop being dispersed over the year instead of ripening ah
at once adds considerably to the expense of collecting it.
I observed on Mr. Vade's plants that the cotton bug (Dysdercus)
had as usual destroyed some pods. I have seldom seen one plant
of any variety of cotton that is not sooner or later attacked by
this pest.
I was not able to see any samples of the cotton itself as all had
been sent to Messrs. Forbes and Campbell. It is not ,the first
time that samples»of cotton of verysuperior quality have been sent
home from the Straits Settlements (see Bulletin III, p. 14) but
unfortunately up to the present tithe samples only have been pro-
curable. It is one thing to grow a sample and another thing to
grow several tons. However, Mr. Vadf/s strain seems to be a
very good kind and it is hoped to continue experimenting with it.
70, The Albany, Oldhall Street,
Liverpool , ijth November , 1904.
Answd\ 14th December, 1(404.
Messrs. Vade & Co.,
Singapore.
Dear Sirs, — Our Manchester friends, Messrs. Finlay Campbell
& Co, Ltd., have sent us a single boll of cotton and have asked us
to send you a report thereon.
6
this boll is well grown and matured and evidently picked just at
the ripe stage, the lint is excellent both as to colour and staple, the
latter being of good length and strength. But unginned cotton is
very deceptive, some growths suffer considerably by ginning, the
staple being often cut and or weakened thereby.
We dare not put a value upon l.nt on a single boll, but we may
say that given the same colour, length and strength of staple such
cotton would rank among the best growths and would bring a very
high price say about i id. per lb. to-day.
You say it is from American seed, but the friend from whom the
seed was obtained does not know what sort it was. from the seed
in the boll we should say that it must be'from either American, Sea
Island or Egyptian Seed.
The plant you describe is somewhat abnormal “ Eleven months
old and full of bloom." In America seed time and harvest is
covered by six months, and in India and Egypt, it is much about
the same, 4 to 5 feet high is a good growth. In the new States ot
America there is little or no fertilising, in the old States"; Phosphates
are largely used. In the Sea Islands recuperation is brought about
by allowing the land to lie fallow for a season.
We send you by this post the “West Indian Bulletin ’’ from which
you will gather much that is interesting and instructive regarding
the planting and cultivation of cotton, experimental planting will
teach you more; the rigid adherence to American practices has not
proved successful in Africa, and your district will doubtless produce
a quality of cotton peculiar to itself and by methods specifically
called for by soil and climate. We would suggest that we send you
small quantities of Sea Island Seed, Egyptian Seed and American
ordinary seed.
And if in any way we can assist you we shall be glad to do so.
We may add that we have never seen anything that fould approach
in quality vour sample boll, grovyn East of Suez.
* m * t
1 have, etc.,
Forbes, Fonjes, Campbell & Co, Ltd.
• M. L. HALL,
Manager .
fibres.
(1 Continued .)
The Pineapple (Ananassa saliva) produces a very high class fibre
but is very difficult to extract cheaply because of the hardness ot
the epidermis of the leaf. No machine seems to work it really
well and economically and all the best samples have been made
by hand The largest quantity is made in the Philippines. Hand-
made fibres can only be satisfactorily prepared where labour is
cheap and plentiful, and this is not the case in the Malay Peninsula.
7
In the early days of Singapore it was manufactured by a number
of Bugis men for some years, but the industry died out.
Messrs. Hogan’s machine has turned out some good samples
and it is very probable that this fibre may come again into the
market in plenty from the Peninsula.
The fibre being required of as great length as possible, the short
leaves of the field pines cultivated for fruit are not of any use,
where however, fields have been abandoned and grown up into
grass and scrub, the pines cease to give good fruit but produce
leaves from six to eight feet long or even more which are suitable
for fibre extraction. Such long leaved pines are to be found all
over the Peninsula wherever pines have been cultivated and could
be got in large quantities in some districts.
A fuller account of it will be found in Bulletin, 1st Series, p. 56,
to which the reader is referred. The present value of good pine-
apple fibre is about £34 a ton.
Karatas plumieri , the Mexican fibre, or silk grass. This plant
is a kind of wild pineapple occurring all through tropical America,
ft possesses a large crown of some fifty or more dark green leayes,
8 to 10 feet long and 1 to 2 inches wide narrowed upwards and
armed with strong recurved thorns at the edges. The flowers are
produced in a flat cake like mass in the centre and the head of
fruit forms a compact mass of fusiform pulpy fruits eacli about 4
inches long and 1 inch through. They are eatable with a flavour
of pineapple but owing to the presence apparently of siliceous
spicules, are apt to cut the tongue. The plant sends up suckers
and being of rapid growth soon forms a dense impenetrable thicket.
Karatas plumieri has long been cultivated in the Botanic Gardens,
Singapore, but as it is hardly ornamental and takes up a great
deal of room, it has not found its way into other gardens or planta-
tions. It might, however, be very well used for fencing purposes
to keep out cattle and wild pigs, as its dense mass of thorny leaves
would stop most animals. It grows "rather irregularly however, and
is inclined to push out in all directions. It is readily propagated
from its side shoots and seems rather to prefer dry open soil
DODGE, “Useful Fibre Plants of the World,” says: — “The plants
are of the most prolific nature growing spontaneously in almost all
soils and climate. Cultivation in its native land is therefore ex-
tremely simple and it is surprising that the plant has not received
more attention from planters. The Indians cultivate the plant to
some extent in Mexico, 1,222 gardens being recorded in 1830.
They generally selecf forest for this purpose removing the under-
growth by cutting or burning. The roots of old plants are then
set out 5 or 6 feet apart and at the end of a year yield leaves fit
for cutting.” He states further that the thprnsonthe leaves (which
give some trouble in working the fibre) are diminished in size and
number by cultivation. “The fibre varies in quality according to
age, in young leaves the fibre is fine and white, with increasing age
it becomes longer and coarser."
8
Excellent samples of this fibre were shown at the recent Agri-
cultural Show, by Mr. ScHIRMER. They were obtained from plants
grown in the Botanic Gardens in Singapore and extracted by
the Hogan machine. It was shown under the name of Brontelui
pinguin , but I find the correct name of the plant is Karatas plu-
mieri. The fibre is rather thinner than that of Fourcroya but
stronger and of a very pure silky white colour with a fine gloss. It
is thicker than Murva fibre.
In South America where it is cleaned by hand much in the same
way as pineapple fibre is prepared by scraping the leaves on a
board with a heavy iron knife, it is used for the finest hammocks,
nets, fishing lines, ropes, mats, sacking and clothing. “ After being
combed it has been pronounced to be greatly superior to Russian
flax and equal to the, best Belgian for application to the finest
textile fabrics . J ’ (Dodge).
The chief trouble in working the plant seems to be due to its
powerful thorns, which make it troublesome to cut, and which have
to be cut off the edges of the leaves before passing into the ma-
chine. However, considering the ease with which the plant grows
and the excellence of its fibre, it would be weil worth more atten-
tion than it ever appears to have received.
Yuccas . — There are a number of species of Yucca , in Mexico,
nearly al^of which produce a good fibre, and one or two kinds are
cultivated here from time to time in gardens as ornamental plants.
One of these Y.filamentosa cultivated in the Botanic Gardens in
Singapore was experimented with in Messrs. HOGAN’S machine and
a good fibre extracted, the leaves seem to contain a larger proportion
of fibre than almost any other tried. The fibre is rather thinner
than that of Fourcroya and of much the same colour and strength.
Attempts have been made to utilise these fibres in America where
the plants grow in great quantities, but apparently the business was
given up. Yuccas in the Straits grow slowly and* 8 the leaves are
short, it is indeed more suited* for sand-hills and dry open places,
and would not be suitable for a wet region like" this. It might do
belter on the few sandy setisjiores we have, but it is hardly a
plant to be recommended. In some places the fibre is successfully
extracted by steeping the leaves in tubs of boiling water after which
they are crushed between cylinders and plunged on hurdles into a
boiling alkaline bath of 45 pounds of ashes to 121 gallons of water,
where they are left for four hours, then taken out and washed. This
simple method of working it is something in its favour, but unless
localities in the Peninsula are found more suited for its growth, it
can never become an important source of fibre.
Editor.
PRESENT PRICES OE FIBRES.
We have received further notes from the big European Fibre
firms as to demand and prices ruling from Mr. SCHIRMER from
which I make the following extracts as of interest: —
9
Veuve E. Baktens & Co., Lez Anvers, writes:— We give you
below as requested a few explanations regarding the wants and
quotations for the European market.
Green Aloe (Mauritius Hemp). — -As it must be known to you
this fibre has a large consumption and the value subject to the
quotations of a very uncertain market, as we have seen the prices
during the last ten years fluctuate between 19 and 37 shillings per
cwt. for prime quality, C. F. Antwerp.
Murva (Konji Hemp) and Pineapple. — 'These products are
shipped not in large quantities however from the Dutch posses-
sions, Java, etc., to Rotterdam, and as you say under th 3 name
of Ananas-fibre. Their price at present is from 24 to 30 shillings
a cwt. according to the length of fibre.
Aloe fibre . — (This appears to -be Mauritius hemp, Fourcroya ,
roughly beaten out by natives.— Ed.) is shipped to Antwerp in
thousands of bales from Bombay Their present prices are:— No.
1, 11 to 12 shillings; No. 2, 10 shillings; No. 3, pi shillings per cwt.
Ramie . — We have personally the conviction that this fibre will
eventually occupy the position in the textile world as cot on and
flax. The quantities offered are insignificant and cannot be sup-
plied regularly. According to the method of decortication the
price fluctuates from 8 to 150 shillings per cwt., but we think that
Ramie will get the easiest, largest and most suitable opening in
the flax spinning works, when prepared in such a way as to replace
in quality and price the Russian flax, this latter being about 28
shillings a cwt. (medium value market).
C. J. Schirmer Esq,
Singapore.
•
Dear. SIR, — I duly received your letters of 8th and 10th October
and in answer I b$g to inform yon that in the meantime* I have
given on your samples several reports and informations to Mr.
Arnhold Otto Meyer which I hope his Singapore firm, Beelv
Meyer & Co., has transmitted you, but as you wish to have *my
reports and informations also directly I hereby enclose copy of
them.
Sanseveria Fibre , — If this. fibre is strong, white in colour and well
cleaned, prices of £28/32 as offered by Messrs. L. AttKERSMlTH &
Co. for account of their San Francisco constituents are not at all
out of question more* if this fibre is 80 Ctm. (31") and above in
length'and in every respect without faults you can make easy £35
and more. It is as you will understand quite impossible to give a
valuation from here on completely unknown qualities, colours and
lengths of Sanseveria grown and made in the Straits. Nobody will
make contract “tel quel ” even if you give the guarantee to deliver
not under 2.5 Ctm. (10") as it may be that everything is of twenty-
five Ctm. and perhaps only a little over 25 Ctm in length.
10
Pineapple .— A price of £60 as mentioned by you is a fancy price
and is in my opinion impossible to realize in the open market for
regularly shipments, the price for this fibre will always be about the
same as for Sanseveria which according to quality, colour and length
will fetch between £2 7/37 per ton as a normal average price, except
if of very short length, i. e., under 25 Ctm.
Ramie . — (China Grass) 1 sent you by to-day’s Mail a. sample taken
out of lots sold without difficulty in big qualities at £20/30 per ton
The general Hamburg market is as follows : —
Sisal. October.
Mexico £35
E. G. Africa 36
Aloes . — Mauritius 28/33
D. O. Africa 28/3 1
Manila fair current 38.10^.
New Zealand good fair 32.
November 1904.
£35
36. 1 os.
29/34
30/32
40.
32.105.
A fair business has been done here and in the neighbour markets
with an always strong upwards tendency for all lib're and hemp
sorts, especially for Manila. The arrivals are not in proportion
with the consumption especially not in the better qualities which
are always in strong demand at daily higher prices asked and paid
for, however in Sisal the market at actual high prices is dull and no
contracts’ for shipments to arrive and term are reported.
L. RIEBOW,
Hamburg , 10th November , 1904 .
RUBBER VINES IN SOUTH ANNAM.
The Bulletin Economique de Hanoi contains in No. 35, Novem-
ber, 1904, an important article on the Rubber vines of Southern
Annam by M. VERNET. There are several species of climbing
Apocynacesc in this country which produce a fairly good rubber, and
the French Direction de 1 ’ Agriculture has for some time been
employed in studying these plants and experimenting in processes
for the extraction of the latex. Of these plants the two most suit-
able for cultivation are Parameria glandulifera and Xylinbarui
Raynaudi. The former occurs to a small extent in the Malay
Peninsula. Besides these however, there are species of Chone-
morpha, EcdyscntJiera and Pezizicarpus in the forests, which also
supply rubber. The rubber from these wild plants is collected by
natives but as they grow only here and there in the jungle they
bring in a mixture of gums c and rubbers from all kinds of plants
wherever they can find them and the result is consequently a very
poor and valueless product. For this reason the Annam rubbers
have obtained a bad reputation. It is also difficult owing to the
wild way in which the Hanes' climb in the forests to satisfactorily
tap them. After cutting into them .also the latex coagulates soon
in the cut mouths of the laticiferous vessels and it ceases to llow,
although there may be much more in the liane, and if a cut liane
is left the latex in the bark disappears little by little and when
it is dead and dry the bark contains but a little rubber. The
author’s theory to account for this is that the caoutchouc is not
a secretion but the sap of the plant, and that it being employed
by the cells as nutriment is used up and so disappears. This may
well be doubted. However, the action of rapidly killing the cells,
by simple heat or plunging the sections of the liane into boiling
water has been found to kill the ceils and coagulate the latex in
the bark. The pieces of the climber after being put into the boiling
water, are then beaten with a club while still hot to detach the bark
'which when dried by fire heat or exposure to a current of air,
(never by sunheat) are broken up by beating and the rubber ex-
tracted by mechanical means or solvents, sulphuric acid or potass.
Only certain laticiferous barks yield to this process. It is a failure
in the case of Para Rubber, Ceara Rubber and Chonemorpha Yer-
sini. This latter climber appears to be very troublesome to work
withv
Tables of percentages of rubber obtained from three species of
vines are given :
From Ecdysanthera Lan&bitini , '373 of bark from the roots
gave 7*45 per cent of Caoutchouc, -027 kilos in all, 4*466
kilos of bark from the vine 6 cm. and more through gave
7*64 per cent ’341 kilos of rubber.
E. Annamensis gives a smaller proportion, 5*23 to 6*63 per
cent. The highest percentage from the roots.
Pezizicarpus montana gave a higher percentage, viz., 7*84 to
8*30, but it appears to have a thinner bark, as a stem 13*50
metres long and 5 cm. through only gave 2,000 kilos of
bark as against *Ecdysa ithera annamensis which gave
6*400 kilos of bark from a liane 13 metres long and 6 cm.
through.
The figures show a smaller result than those obtained from quite
freshly collected barks, and it is clear that all treatment of bark
should be carried out as soon as possible after collecting.
Editor ,
A MEMORANDUM OF CASUARINA EQUI-
SETIFULIA, ITS CULTIVATION
AND TREATMENT,
with Special Reference to the Planting of Abandoned
Mining Land in the Federated* Malay States.
Casuarina equisetifolia , Forst, Sun: C . muricata, Ruxb. FI. Ind*
111, p. 519 — Order Casuartneee.
12
References,— Brand. FI. N. W. & C. i. 435- Diet. Ec. Prod. of India
Gamb- Man. of Timb. 665. Cameron’s For. Trees of Mysore and
Coot* 300. Agr. Bull. S S. & F. M. S. <fi. N. Ridley) Vol. I, Nos.
7 & 8. Roy- As. Soc. Journ. St. Br. No. 30 of 1897 (H. N. Ridley).
Agr. Ledg. (India) 1901 VUI & 1902 II-
Popular Names : — The “Swamp Oak” of Queensland, the “Ti-
nian-Pine,” “Beef wood-Tree,” Vern. “Am” “ Ru” and “Ru-Laut.”
It is a tall evergreen tree, maximum height 80 feet and girth
6 feet and over. Conical in habit of growth.
p a rk. Brown, rough, fibrous peeling off in vertical strips. The
bark is astringent and contains in to 183 per cent of Tinmn,
living a blue black precipitate with feric salts. It is used b> fisher-
men in Madras for dyeing their nets. It contains also a red colour-
ino- matter attracted bv mordants. The burnt ashes of the bark
afford material for making soap. The decoction being of a deep
red colour.
Leaves. — According to BRANulS, branches leafless. CAMERON
savs the “leaves proper” reduced to mere scales at the tips of the
branchlets. Disarticulate a branchlet and its upper end will be
seen to be toothed usually 79 teeth referred to by CAMERON as
,‘scaly leaves.” The former description is preferred.
Branchlets —Approximate, slender, articulate, fluted, deciduous
and fulfil the function of leaves (BRANDIS). The general appear-
ance of the branchlets feathery.
Flowers. Mon oec ions, /.<?., with staminate and pistillate flowers,
and quite inconspicuous, slightly reddish in colour. The staminate
flowers monandrons in terminal, cylindrical spikes; the pistillate
flowers in small pedicellate, globose heads.
Bruit. A sub-globose cone, formed of the enlarged and thick-
ened woody bracts, rough, varying from 1 to f of an inch in length,
grows in clusters at ends of branches. It turns orange yellow when
ripe; „eeds with a membranous wing. Fruit to be seen pretty
nearly throughout the year at various stages of maturity.
Thus from its conical habit, of growth, feathery branchlets, cone-
like fruit and winged seed the resin it yields, it suggests the pine
family, hence the popular name “Tinian Pine,” on the other hand
the Malay more familiar with the Casuarina curiously enough calls
Dacrydium elatum , Wall. ( Conifer se) a cypress like plant which
attains a similar maximum height, “ Ru Bukit.”
Distribution.— Indigenous to Queensland, N. Australia, the Ma-
lay Archipelago, Fiji, the Islands of the Indian Archipelago, the
littoral of Chittagong, Burma and Siam. Mr. L. RICKETTS, In-
spector-General of Forests, Mysore, thinks it truly indigenous to the
Islands of the Malay and Fijian Archipelago and says in India
“the species has not been observed to be self produced, i. e.^ in the
matter of throwing up seedlings, nor does it coppice well.” Ex-
tensively planted along the sand dunes of the Madras and N.
Kanara Coasts. It might be compared to Finns sylvestns , L.
13
(Scotch Pine) or the cluster or Maritime Pine (P. Pinaster , vel
maritima) in its use for the fixation of the sand dunes in Germany
and the French coast of the Bay of Biscay, ft is very tolerant of
soils. In suitable localities, e.g., in sandy or porous soils, where the
subsoil is always moist and the water level within 8 to 10 feet of
the surface, it is a fast growing tree. In abandoned mining lands
these conditions of porosity and depth of water level more or less
exist. Further Ru has the reputation of drying land exhaustively,
a hopeful outlook in certain abandoned areas where the greater
portion of the land is under water in heavy rains, mainly from the
overflow of old mining holes.
Wood and its Uses. — Timber heavy, hard, reddish brown (beef-
wood) coarse grained. Pores moderate sized to small, scattered,
much sub-divided, with white walls and partitions ; medullary rays
very fine and very numerous and evenly distributed ; concentric
rings wavy, fine and close, broken up, darker nearer -the centre.
Seasons somewhat badly, cracks and splits under weight or expo-
sure to the weather. Weight 50 lbs. may be taken for young
unseasoned wood to 60 lbs. for old seasoned wood.
Ridley says it is suitable for posts being durable and resistant
to termites. Mr. L. RlCKETTS of Mysore holds a diametrically
opposite view and condemns it for posts, re the termites; probably
the species of termites is different in the two countries.
Its chief value is as a fuel. The reader is referred to the “ Fac-
tory Engineers, Selangor, Report”, as contained in the Agricultural
Bulletin, S. S. & F. M. S., Vol. I, part 8, with regard to its superior
“ steaming qualities over, even Bakau and ordinary firewood.”
According to Mr. Ricketts, ‘‘it was reckoned that Casuarina
“logs ran a train over a distance 13 per cent in excess of that
“ attained by the next best kind of fuel available in the Mysore
“forests,” this was demonstrated by experiments carried out on
the Mysore State Railway. The fuel where available in India
according to the same authority is preferred for domestic consump-
tion ami remarks “ the people encleavpur to subdue its intense heat
“ by adding fuel of Inferior heating power,” in order to save their
cooking utensils from being worn out^ *He further adds “ the same
'“result has happened where Casuarina is exclusively used in loco-
“ motives, and it is a question how far its calorific properties should
“ be moderated by the intermixture of other fuel substances." The
a dies retain their heat for a long time.
With these introductory remarks we shall proceed t© the raising
and treatment of Casuarina under the following various heads: —
(a). Formation and Manuring of the Nursery. — -Nursery beds
of not more than 4 feet in width, are now got ready, i.e., cleared of
all roots, stumps, stones, etc., with good drains on either side to
drain off excessive moisture and are necessary owing to the heavy
rains in this country. The nursery site would be selected near a
permanent supply of water, e.g., if selected on the area to be planted,
near one of the large mining holes not liable to overflow and hold-
?fts
M
ing water throughout the year. Very little manure is required and
it would never be fresh or raw. Burnt earth or ashes will be found
useful. The burning of all roots, stumps and weeds directly over
the beds serves to kill the seeds of weeds and insect life, in what-
ever stage of metamorphosis, and further renders the inert plant-
food soluble and assimilable. Ashes afford material for the early
formation of woody fibre and are therefore ef exceptional value
in giving stability to the young plants.
(b) . Collection of Seed. — As remarked before the fruit is ripe
when it changes to an orange yellow and is noticed to drop from
the base of the cluster. If whole clusters are plucked the unripe
fruits near the apex should be discarded. After the collection of a
sufficient number of ripe fruit, say each week’s gathering, the whole
should be exposed to the sun on mats. This may be done for 3 or
4 days, when all the seed will have been shed. If not required for
immediate use sifting the seed and putting away in glass stoppered
bottles is recommended. The fruit receptacles or empty cones may
be burnt over the beds as they contain potash amongst other con-
stituents. Care should be taken that the mats are carried in during
showers; kerosine oil sprinkled in a continuous ring round the mat
will keep off ants. Sparrows and rats are also fond of the seed
and must be guarded against.
(c) . Sowing.— The seed should be thickly sown in one or two
beds,* depending on their length and the quantity of seed to be
sown. The beds having been previously levelled and prepared and
seed scattered broad cast, a thin layer of fine or sifted soil is sprin-
kled over and pressed down. The whole is thoroughly watered with
a watering can having a fine rose. All exposed and uncovered
seed should now be pressed down or covered, where necessary with
more fine soil. The beds should now be covered with a layer of
lalang, The lalang may be lightly tied down over the beds in windy
localities, by means of sticks inserted opposite each other and -about
3 feet apart on either side of the edge of the bed and tied across
with -olit rotan or thin creepers, The object of the lalang is to
protect the sprouting seedlings from the direct* rays of the sun and
to prevent rapid evaporation. In the absence of rain, daily water-
in- should be indulged in ; the watering should be evenly distri-
buted over the beds.
The plants should commence sprouting from a week' to ten days
and in 3 months time will be about 4 inches high. No weeding is
necessary in seed beds as any attempt at it would only uproot the
tender seedlings. If any is done the kebuns should be carefully
instructed to cut back the weeds but on no account to pull up any
weeds.
(d) . Pricking out (/) intp Nursery beds or (//) into Tile-pots.
(1). Pricking out into Nursery beds: — Beds in the meantime
havin" been got ready and holes of about 9 inches depth, at least,
been made at one foot apart, the seedlings are raised from the seed-
bed with balls of earth using a Bengali or Malay spade. If 2 or 3
i5
plants happen to be raised at one time they may be carefully sep-
arated, each with its fair share of surrounding soil. They are then
transplanted into the holes of the Nursery beds The Nursery beds
should be covered with light atap coverings as quickly as possible,
at about 2 feet off the ground to facilitate future watering. The
supports for the ataps and the ataps would be ready cut before
commencing transplanting. The atap covering may be removed
after 3 weeks, to a month, when the plants have got over the shock
of transplanting and the roots have laid hold of the soil. Weeding
should be carried out now.
(II). Pricking out into Tile-pots: — The method to be described
is commended to be adopted in preference to the one above, because
of the length of taproot the Casuarina develops. Seedlings 6 inches
high often have a descending anis or root of a foot length.
A tile-pot is formed by placing two semi-cylindrical tiles together
edge to edge, so as to form a cylinder about 5 inches in diameter
and 10 inches length. Square beds of 4 feet 3 inches sides (depen-
ding on the diameter of the cylinders are exc ivated to a depth of
one foot depending on the length of tile used) which will hold 100
tile-pots in each bed. All preparations for atap coverings being
got ready, the bottom of the beds should be lined with a larger of
potsherds to prevent the roots penetrating the soil below and thus
confining them within the pots, they will also abort and drain ofif any
excess of water. Now the 3 months seedlings will be raided from
the seed-beds and pricked out into these tile-pots each of which may
be bound with thin split rotan and previously prepared for their
reception by a slight watering. The cylinders are placed together
side by side in the excavated beds till they form a honeycomb
filling the whole up flush with the surface of the ground, The
plants should be watered daily in the absence of rain. The atap
covering will he removed when the seedlings are established in the
pots. By using pots the. root growth of the seedlings is restrained
and little or no shock is received in transplanting into the field. All
failures can be counted and replaced if possible and the number fin-
ally removed into tbe field can be definitely known.
“ Bamboo pots ” made by sawing* a*bamboo up below each suc-
cessive node, are not to be recommended as they per ^attract wftjte
ants, especially when crowded together. They are also more ex-
pensive, requiring to be “ split ” before final transplanting in the
open, whereas tile-pots are merely halved and can be used again.
(<?). Protection from Insects.— Tender or herbaceous, />., non-
lignified steins are liable to be attacked by crickets and grasshop-
pers and signs of these should be watched for and the insects driven
off.
if)- Pitting and Transplanting into Pits. — Before pitting the
area to be planted should be thoroughly cleared of resam ( Gleichenia
linearis) Sendudok (. Melastoma polyanthum Bl. and allied species)
commonly called Singapore Rhododendrons, Lalang (Imperata
cylindrical Beauv.) and other weeds including useless small shrubs ;
i6
these being collected into heaps and carefully burnt. Care should
be taken that Mengkudu ( Morinda tinctoria , Roxb.) Leban (various
species of Vitex) amongst other small-sized trees be not cut or
damaged by the fire as they help to re-afforest or clothe the area,
main object.
It is recommended by Mr. RICKETTS that “ yard- cube pits be
dug, i.e ., a square yard at top and bottom and on each side. The
advantage claimed being “ that the cooly can get into it and dig it
out large and square at the bottom, where it is most important for
root development.” Ordinarily holes 2 feet square at top and one
foot square at bottom and if necessary a hole may be made in the
centre of the bottom with a crowbar (Malay: Alabangka) will be
found to suffice. The holes can be made with a Changkol and the
slope towards the bottom trimmed with the “ penggal i.” The best
time for planting out is from September to January, once the rams
are assured.
Distance of planting, (i). Tf Casuarina alone is planted, 12
feet by 12 feet should be adopted- (2). If sown in alternate lines,
sav with Tembusu, q feet by 9 feet. (3). Another plan is to plant
6 feet by 6 feet with the intention of subsequently removing every
alternate sapling, when it has attained 4 01 5 years grout .. e
last is best for windv localities and also for the suppression of
lalang- grass. A considerable return may be expected from this
thinning. If Mr. Ridley’S contention is right that it is resistant to
white ants, these saplings may be sold for rafters for bui ing ang-
sals and for pepper props, for which they would have a ready sale.
Probably Carpenter bees (. Xylocofa Sp.) will not bore into Casuarina
so readily as they do into the soft woods usually employed m
building bangsals, both because of its hardness and its containin
a small quantity of gum’ resin m its woody structure^ (4). ; £ ,
planting at 12 feet by 12 feet maybe adopted with a qn/neunc'al
plant (Casuarina or Tembusu) at the intersection of the diagonals.
The pits should be dug well before it is meditated to carry out
the actual transplanting, and the pits as also the ex*. ■ v
turned over, be left fully exposed to the action of tie 'veather. About
a fortnight p evious to transplanting the pits should be
the ground level with the earth 'formerly removed from them It is
essential that all the loose earth be returned to the pH s0 ^ f ° ,
a small mound above the ground level . Earth dug ou ant ■ _ ^
occupies about 25 per cent more space than it die in , - , t
condition underground. This is. best undertaken after a sight
shower and not when the soil is thoroughly wet, it is diffi icultto
manipulate a wet soil and such soil is apt to liar ei y § ,
interfere with its porosity. Tne pits may be even filled m dry
weather in anticipation of rain.
Presuming a sufficiency of pits has been dug with a large balance
in hand an easy matter , satisfy oneself of if tile-pot nuTO
gone in for in the first instance the operation of fina 1 trans^anting
may be carried out after rain overnight. Supposing i e : po
plants have been raised they will be earned from the nursery
»7
field m baskets. Here the cylinders will be carefully separated into
their component halves. The plants with their surrounding soil will
then be carefully inserted into the centre of the pit in an erect natural
position and the soil firmly pressed round the roots with the feet. A
thorough watering will be given immediately after putting in the
plants and if rain holds off a few successive waterings, at intervals
of 2 or 3 days, will be of much benefit to the plants. This is quite
a simple matter in abandoned mining land where water holes exist.
At least four waterings should be given so as to reduce the per cent-
age of failures to a minimum.
{g). Replacing of failures. — The previous years’ failures should
be regularly replaced by carefully going over the area in a systematic
manner. By the adoption of tile-pot transplants, by which an effi-
cient count can be effected, it should be expected that the failures
should not exceed io per cent at the outside.
(li). Pruning. — In the third or fourth year the lower branches
may be carefully sawn off to adroit light and a free circulation of
air. This operation should be carried out with the greatest care and
had better be left undone than done badly or roughly, Casuarina
stands pruning none too well, witness the length of "time a young
plant takes to replace a lost leading shoot. Older trees have been
known to die back when once their leading shoot is topped, by what-
ever cause.
(i). Hedging. — If necessary for fire or wind protection a hedge
or belt 20 feet wide should be raised, of Tembusu ( Fagraea frag-
rans) or Jambu Ayer Laut ( Eugenia grandis), preferably the latter
which like Tembusu grows readily from seed but withstands dam-
age from fire to a greater extent. Hedging would be carried out
only if ground fires from adjoining Lalang wastes are dreaded.
{j). Need of working plan and plan of operations. — The objec t of
these is that the work shall be carried out in a regular and systema-
tic fashion and a due control be exercised on the results of working,
A few points as to method and stages of treatment will now be
suggested. As previously remarked careful pruning may be carried
out say in the third year. Where the distance of planting is 6 feet
by 6 feet alternate plants may be cut out at the fifth year and the
thinnings sold for fuel or poles If the plants are 6 feet by 6 feet
pruning in the third year may be dispensed with for the alternate
plants, to be removed in the fifth year. A t least 20 acres should be
taken in hand as a “ plantation ” coupe in any one year and all such
coupes should be distinctly separated by cleared lines of a minimum
width of 14 feet to allow of two carts crossing each other. It would
be better to have a cleared line of 30 feet where fires are dreaded.
Clear felling is the only method suitable for Casuarina, with re-
planting either with Casuarina or some other trees. Casuarina cop-
pices badly but if cut at 2 to 3 feet above ground it usually gives good
shoots ; while a few of the trees may be found to have layered
naturally by their lower branches. At best these shoots and layers
should not be counted on. Self-sown seedlings even in this country
bps
IS
where it is indigenous, are found in only favourable localities near
the coast and cannot be relied on further inland. Hence clear felling
with no reservation of standards is indicated.
The rotation is very suitable or ideal localities is as low as io
years for fuel production ; but considering the poorness of the soil in
abandoned mining areas 15 or even 20 years may be fount nearer
the mark. Probably another thinning may be suggested at the 10th
year for a fifteen year rotation or T2th year for a 20th year cycle
and this intermediate yield sold for fuel.
As a financial first cost it would not be overstating it if from 35 t°
40 cerfts per acre per annum may be expected as nett profit from
regular plantation (*>., from the area actually planted and not in-
cluding water holes and fire-traces for example) that is systematical-
ly worked.
Ik). Inspection by responsible Forest Officer. — Especially in the
early stages of nursery operations and of stocking the area frequent
inspections are necessary for the timely correction of mistakes, in-
spection is imperative at the commencement and early progress ot a
stage of work, eg., at sowing, pricking out, clearing a id burning o
brushwood on area, pitting and transplanting, replacement of failures
and pruning; and on the completion of any such works so as to
check the efficiency of the work done and that no gaps in detail have
been committed,
R. D. HUDSON.
Singapore , 12th January, 1905.
Coagulation of the Latex of Ficus Elastica,
by P. J. Burgess,
Ficus elastica gives a latex which is unlike that from Heyea
Braziliensis in being acid, and which cannot be converted into
marketable rubber by the same fneans that are adopted in the case ot
the latter.
T r his latex has up to the present been difficult to manipulate and
the method of treatment which I am about to describe is new, and
from experiments made in the laboratory, promises to be quite
successful on a large scale. Ficus elastica can be made to yield an
abundant latex which, can be easily collected and which is quite liquid
and which appears to remain liquid for an indefinite time.
The best method of tapping this tree is yet do be described, but
large yields of clean fluid latex can be obtained and I have recently
had ocular proof of that fact and I understand that a description ot
the method used is to be soon published.
The latex when collected refuses to coagulate, and final resort to
boiling the latex has in some cases been necessary. 1 his is trouble-
some and inefficient, the rubber only separates slowly and very im-
perfectly.
19
Shaking or churning has proved useless and the usual coagulants
have failed to produce coagulation.
The method I have devised is as follows : —
The latex is warmed to 40® C and a solution of tannic acid of
known strength is prepared, the solution 1 used being of 2 per cent
strength. This solution is added to the latex until there is one per
cent of tannic acid'present in the latex. In the case of a two psrcent
solution of tannic add this will naturally mean the addition of the
solution in the proportion of one to 19. The mixture is then gently
beaten or churned. Violent agitation leading to the formation of
froth should be avoided while simple shaking or stirring is not very
efficient.
In one or two minutes the whole mass sets to a cream which on
gentle agitation becomes quite coherent and which then may be
lifted out by hand, rolled or washed on a washing machine. The
coagulation is complete, the liquid remaining being clean or at most
faintly opalescent.
This method is quite successful with natural latex, but if the latex
be diluted w«th water the process is more difficult to carry out and
more of the tannic acid solution is necessary.
Tannic acid is not corrosive. It is bought in the solid state and the
price in London is 2/- a pound. One pound of acid will be sufficient
for preparation of 300 to 400 pounds of dry rubber.
This process as described I believe to be quite new and it is essen-
tially a practical process for use on rubber estates.
P. J. BURGESS,
Government Analyst Labor atavy.
MISCELLANEOUS,
Notices to Subscribers.
1. For the information of subscribers and others who wish to
complete their series of Bulletins, notice is given that numbers
1, 7, 8 and 9, of the old Series (1891 to 1900) and Nos. 1, 8, 9 and
ro, of New Series, Vol. I (1901-1902) have been reprinted and
copies can be had by all whose subscriptions are paid up to date.
The cost to others is 50 cents a number.
2. A very large number of subscriptions, even for last year, are
yet unpaid although subscribers have received more than one notice
of the delay in payment. As this entails a good deal of extra work
on the staff, subscribers are asked to send in their subscriptions
without delay. Attention is called to the rule that all subscriptions
should be prepaid.
3. Subscribers changing their addresses are requested to give
notice to the Editor.
&iu
20
4 Subscribers outside the Peninsula will in future be charged
83.50 per annum instead of $3 to cover postage.
Meteorological observers are asked to send in their returns to
arrive before the 10th day of the following month, if possible, so as
to be in time for going to press.
Rainfall for January, 1905 : —
The Fort
Ins. 1*26
Government Hill
... H SMS
The Prison
i ’66
Balik Pulau
•> 3-22
Pulau Jerejak
,, 2*00
Lumut
... „ 2-32
Pangkor
... „ 4^5
Bruas
... „ 37 °
M. E. SCRIVEN,
Assistant Surgeon,
Prison Observatory.
Penang, git February , 1905.
SINGAPORE MARKET REPORT.
January, /poj.
Articles. (Quantity
sold.
Highest
price.
Lowest
price.
Tons.
$
$
Coffee — Palembang
i 29.50
29.50
Bali - - - ...
26.50
26 50
Liberian - - 126
f
! 27.00
24.00
Copra - - - 3,004
9.00
8.05
Gambier - - -j 2,770
j 9 - 3 °
^•75
Cube Gambier, Nos. 1 & 2. -| 423
14.30
{ 12.50
Gutta Percha. 1st quality -
200.00
150.00
I • -
Medium
100.00
1 90.00
Lower - -!
80.00
19.0c
Borneo Rubber I, 2, and 3 -j
138.00 j
92.00
Gutta Jelutong - -• ...
7-62* j
6.50
Nutmegs, No. iio j s - -j
40.00 1
39.00
No. 8o*s - ... * 1
62.00 1
61.00'
Mace, Banda - -
95.00
9500
Am boy n a - ... i
76 00
70.00
Pepper, Black - - -j 1,312 ]
29.25
25-75
White- {Sarawak)- - 324
41.00
39.00
Pearl Sago, Small - - 75
4.65
3.80
Medium
Large - - 10
5.50
5 - 5 - ■
Sago Flour, No. 1 - - 3,980
345 |
3 r° 2 -i
No. 2 - 550 1
1 ,22 i
I.OC
Flake Tapioca, Small - - 634
4.50 !
4 - 4 o'l
Medium - - 62
4-75 |
4 - 5 ° I 1
Pearl Tapioca, Small - - 653
4.40
4-35 | g;
Medium - - 778
425
415J
Bullet - 15
5-75 1
550
Tin - 3.539
79 50 |
77 - 5 2
Closing fair.
22
Wired at 6 p.m. on 16th January, 1905.
Str. S
Tin
Do.
Do.
Gambier
Do.
Do.
Do.
Cube Gambier
Black Pepper
Do.
White Pepper
Do.
Pearl Sago
Sago flour
Do.
Do.
Tapioca Flake
T. Pearl & Bullets
Tapioca Flour
Gutta Percha
Buffalo Hides
Pineapples
Gambier
Cube Gambler
Black Pepper
Black Pepper
White Pepper
Do.
T. Flake & Pearl
Nutmegs
Sago Flour
Pineapples
Do.
Gambier
Do.
Cube Gambier
Black Pepper
Do.
.Do.
Do.
White Pepper -
Do.
Do.
Do.
Copra
Do.
Do.
Do.
Sago Flour
Tapioca Flake
Do. Pear!
Copra
Do.
Do.
Singapore
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do,
Do.
Penang
Singapore
Penang
Singapore
Do.
Do.
Do.
Singapore K. Penang
Do.
Penang
Singapore
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Penang
Singapore
Penang
Singapore & Penang
Do,
Singapore
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Penang
Do.
Singapore
Do.
Penang
Do.
Singapore
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Singapore & Penang
Do.
Singapore
and America.
\uary, 1905.
Tons.
5 United Kingdom &/or
1,716
U. S. A.
796
Continent
240
Glasgow
London
...
Liverpool
100
U. K. &/or Continent
375
United Kingdom
no
Do.
to
Do.
Do.
40
Do.
lu
Do.
25
London
300
Liverpool
1,000
Glasgow
United Kingdom
250
Do.
375
Do.
45°
Do.
5
Do.
130
Do. cases
5,75o
U. S. A.
825
Do.
60
Do.
100
Do.
40
Do.
3 °
Do.
30
Do.
175
Do.
14
Do. _
50
Do. cases
3,250
Continent „
i,75o
S. Continent
260
N. Continent
75
Continent
40
S. Continent
35
N. Continent
65
S. Continent
10
N. Continent
...
S. Continent
5
N. Continent
45
S. Continent
20
N. Continent
10
Marseilles
280
Odessa
580
Other S. Continent
3°o
N. Continent
400
Continent
49°
Do.
180
Do.
70
England
23
Gambier
Str,
Singapore
U. S. A.
Cube Gambier
n
Do.
Do.
T. Flake & Pearl
n
Do,
Do.
Sago Flour
n
Do.
Do.
Gambier
n
Do.
S. Continent
Copra
,,
Do.
Marseilles
Black Pepper
u
Do.
S. Continent
White Pepper
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
u: s. a.
Pineapples
Singapore
Do.
Nutmegs
Do.
Do.
Black Pepper **■
’ >
Do.
Do.
Do.
ft
Penang
Do.
White Pepper
Do,
Do,
T. Flake & Pearl
u
Do.
Do.
Nutmegs
Do.
Do.
.1,500 tons Gambier
44b ,, Black Pepp
«}
Contracts.
Export Telegram to Europe and America.
For Fortnight ending 3 ist January, IQ05.
Wired at 4.40 p.tn. on 1st February, 1905,
Tons.
no
Tin • Si
r. Singapore and Penang
to United Kingdom & or
Tims.
L475
f I
Do.
Do.
U. S. A.
801
12
Do.
Do.
Continent
205
13
Gambier
Singapore
Glasgow
14
Do.
Do.
London
15
Do.
Do.
Liverpool
; M
16
Do.
Do.
U.i K. &/or Continent
825
l 7
Cube Gambier
Do.
United Kingdom
18
Black Pepper
Do.
Do.
10
19
Do.
Penang
Do.
20
White Pepper
Singapore.
Do.
85
21
White Pepper
Penang
Do.
20
22
Pearl Sago
Singapore
Do.
50
23
Sago flour
Do.
London
100
24
Do.
Do.
Liverpool
25
Do.
Do.
Glasgow
26
Tapioca Flake
Singapore & Penang
United Kingdom
rjo
27
T. Pearl & Bullets
Do.
Do.
85
28
Tapioca Flour
Penang
Do.
850
29
Gutta Percha
Singapore
Do.
10
30
Buffalo Hides
Do.
Do.
70
31
Pineapples
Do.
Do. Cases x.2^0
32
Gambier
Do.
U. S. A.
350
33
Cube Gambier
Do.
Do.
10
34
Black Pepper
Do.
Do.
180
35
Black Pepper
Penang
Do.
10
3 6
White Pepper
Singapore
Do.
50
37
Do.
Penang
Do.
38
T. Flake & Pearl
Singapore & Penang
Do.
35
1
39
Nutmegs
Do.
Do.
40
Sago Flour
Singapore
Do.
24
41
Pineapples
42
Do.
43
Gambier
44
Do.
45
Cube Gambier
46
Black Pepper
47
Do.
48
Do.
IJ
49
Do.
5 °
White Pepper
S'
Do.
S 2
Do.
53
Do.
54
Copra
»*
55
Do.
»
56
Do.
»
57
Do.
58
Sago Flour
59
Tapioca Flake
»
60
Do. Pearl
61
Copra
M
62
Gambier
63
Cube Gambier
n
64
Flake and Pearl
65
Sago Flour
»
66
Gambier
67
Copra
./
68
Black Pepper
69
White Pepper
70
Do.
u
7 l
Pineapples
>.
72
Nutmegs
73
Black Pepper
74
Do.
75
White Pepper
76
T. Flake & Pearl
77 Nutmegs
i ,050 tons Gambler \
675 ,, Black Pepper S
Singapore
Do
Do, .
Do. .
Do.
Do,
Do.
Penang
Do.
Singapore
Do.
Penang
Do.
Singapore'
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Singapore & °eneng
Do.
Singapore
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Penang
Do.
Do.
Do.
Contracts
U.S.A.
Continent
S. Continent
N. Continent
Continent
S. Continent
N. Continent
S. Continent
N. Continent
S. Continent
N. Continent
S, Continent
N. Continent
Marseilles
Odessa
Other South Continent
N. Continent
Continent
Do.
Do.
England
U. S. A.
Do.
Do.
Do.
S. Continent
Marseilles
S. Continent
S. Continent
U. S. A.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
T
Cases
ons.
40a
,750
95
75
60
95
75 :
20
IO
50
IO
34 O'
400-
JO>
2C O
2SO’
S'
Singapore.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings for the month of January . rqog.
A. B. LEICESTER, D. K. McDOWELL,
Kandang Kerban Hospital Observatory, ' Meteorological Observer. Principal Civil Medical Officer, S.S.
Singapore, 2 1st Februar y , 1904.
Penang.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings in the Prison Observatory for January, 1905.
Colonial Surgeon’s Office, M. E. SCR1VEN, T. C. MUGLISTON,
Penang, 10th February, 1905. Assistant Surgeon. Colonial Surgeon, Penang.
District.
Malacca.
Abst ract of Meteorological Readings fo r the month of December, 1904.
Temperature.
in
o ■
rt 1=
cc
c o
03 m
<u co
jC
cc
£
J
a
Ins. °F °F
I
Durian Daun Hospital j 29-901 1437, 8i-o
°F
867
Colonial Surgeon’s Office,
Malacca , 28th January, /poj.
OJ
bn
ctf
DC
Hygrometer.
°F °F ' °F
73*5 13-2, 76-9
c
<v
H
o
cT
•879
o
CL
<D
Q
°F
72 -c
3
x
o'
/o
o
0
<D
)-
a
bn
83 N.E.
OJ
0
O-
<>)
bn
c
os
DC
DC % £
- s =
Ins.
6*49
<x c
n~
a
Ins.
i*37
F. B. CROUCHER,
Colonial Surgeon, Malacca.
Perak.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings in the various Districts of the State for the month of January, , 9 o 5 .
District.
Taiping
Kuala Kangsar
Batu Gajah
Gopeng
Ipoh
Kampar
Teluk Anson
Tap ah
Parit Buntar
Bagan Serai
Selama
Maxi-
mum in
Sun.
Mean
Dry
Bulb.
I S I
169
State Surgeon’s Office,
or 18
80-29
80-19
79*94
80-26
80*42
80- 30
8 I "2 1
81- 84
8r68
Temperature.
Hygrometer.
Maxi-
mum.
; !
Mini-
mum.
Range.
\^ t " Vapour
T \ ' Tension. ,
Bulb.
! - !
91
68
23
76-18
3 37
Q2
67
23
75' 8 4
833
92
e?
23
75-45
817 j
92
63
27
75-56
826
93
69
21
7644
860
91
68
22
-
1 go
70
19
75-48
817
Q2
63
| 27
75-64
825
8l
69
10
76*59
852
OI
; 68
22
76-75 ;
852
9.
69
1
I 18
76-97 1
865
ditv.
Total
7 *
80
79
81
83
78
79
80
79
80
1 1-27
6-49
8-68
14-22
yo 6
22*10
487
1219
3‘46
4' 1 7
8-84
u
CO ^ i-
flJ — 3
O JS jz
2-67
1*32
2-53
2- 64
0*96
3- 00
1- 40
1*71
2 - 20
i '39
3'63
M. J. WRIGHT,
State Surgeon, Perak.
Taiping, 14th February, iqo $ .
Selangor.
Abstract of M eteoroi ogical Readings in the various Districts of the State for the month of December , ipoj.
'DrSTKICT.
General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur
Purloh Gaol Hospital
District Hospital (i
Klang
Kuala Langat
Kajang
Kuala Selangor
Kuala Kubu
Sere n da h
Rawang
rJeri-beri Hospital', Jeram
Sabah Bernam
1
1 !
1
Mean Barometrical Pressure at
32 0 Fah.
Maximum in Sun.
Temperature.
Hygrometer.
| Prevailing Direction of Winds.
,
-
1
cc
c
01
c
CC
<L •-
i-S
a
Mean Dry Bulb.
Maximum.
Minimum.
1
Range,
Mean Wet Bulb.
Vapour Tension.
Dew Point.
§
i
... 29‘88l !
146-8
80-4
1
897 71-8
i7‘9
76-2
0-824
734
79
Calm.
8-47
1 ‘93
'
...
1 1 94
1 -90
...
...
...
4“°i
0-75
’
S6S 712
j 5 -6
12-27
1-70
85-2 72-3
129
18-22
3-28
907 72-3
18-4
, . .
4'17
0-49
85-8 74-6
II-2
...
1
11 ‘39
1 '57
8 7*4 7i‘5
i5'9
...
1
2-82
0 74
9o 'I 75 '5
14-6
575
1-24
!
83-6 69-3
14*3
...
...
10-40
2-83
...
... !
... |
9' 34
2*00
...
. i 1
"
16-29
2-20
Stats Surgeon’s Office,
Kuala Lumpur, 2 jth 'January, /905.
E. A. O. TRAVERS,
State Surgeon, Selangor ,
\Q
Muar
District.
A bstract of Meteorological Readings for the month of January, igog.
03
1 du
s
o
Lanadron Estate
in
Temperature.
cc
03
•a
8T
9 °
7i°
01
be
rt
&
l 9
£
CO
74
Hygrometer.
0)
C
E
be
c
Pu
rS
O
H
4-2;
1-41
Muar, nth February , / 905.
ROGER PEARS.
Greatest Rainfall during 24 hours.
?
The Duff Development Concession Limited, Kelantan.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings for the month of January , kjq^
District.
j
Temperature.
Rainfall.
1
| Mean Maximum,
1 . .
1
Mean Minimum.
Mean Range.
Total Rainfall.
j
bj:
.S
3
- V
s
c
‘5
i—
# 3
- . si
<L) 'T
u n
O
°F
1
op
op
Inches.
Inches.
Kuala Lebir
88* 3
69*1
192
4*08
2*35
Manson’s Camp, Ulu Liang
83-5
6 9 *I
14*4
5*22
r *22
Serasa
86*6
70*2
16*4
6*68
3 *76
Kuala Kelantan
82*6
72*5
IOI
2-57
•67
Kuala Lebir, 7th February , 1905,
JOHN D. GIMLETTE.
32
METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.
Table Showing The Daily Results Of The Reading Of Meteorological Observations Taken
At The General Hospital, Seremban, For The Month Of December, 1904.
Temperature of radiation.
Temperature of
radiation.
Wind.
Temperature
of evaporation.
Computed
vapour tension.
Relative
humidity.
Clouds 0 to 10
Cloud
and weather
initials.
Rain,
'
; C
V
T 3
rt c
Direction.
■
!
Date.
-
7 , 'C
w -
21
9
15
: E
■ 3
£
O «
c 7 ?
C re
9
15
p
15
9
'5
9
15
9
15
21
9
15
a 5 -
H
H
d
a i
£
’£
<D
b/j
c
c
QJ r
;tfc £
ci
<u *"■
t*= C
H
H
k
H
s
<3
OJ
H
H
C
rt
<U
H
H
c
re
0 )
H
H
H
H
H
H
<L
O
s
S
s
*
(ri
5
-
G
5
rl
3
3
*5
•_
O
O
0
O
0
0
0
0 *
p -
0
in.
in,
1
B
B
1
76
79
77 '5
82
69
13
T l8
36
67
2
E.
E.
743
73’9
74 ‘i
0-848
o- 8:39
0-843
94
85
89-5
0
0
3
C
2
78
87
82-5
82
71
II
120
38
67
4
N.E.
N.E.
7 p '9
729
72-9
'8lo
•810
■810
84
84
84 •
O
10
5
B
R
C
3
77
84
80-5
84
71
13
125
; 41
68
3
N.E.
N.E.
7 p f 2
797
70*4
739
751
‘745
79
64
7 i *5
°
2
5
B
B
c
, 4
79
86
S 2-5
87
70
17
IjO
1 63
68
2
E.
E.
69*5
7,0
749
•721
735
75
58
665
2
°
2
B
B
B
5
76
76
76
86
7 1
15
128
42
68
3
N.E.
N.E.
70-9
74‘3
72*6
756
•848
•802
84
94
°9
0
10
2
B
R
B
ri7
6
78
84
81
85
69
16
125
40
68
E.
N.E.
69‘5
70-7
70 - 1
•722
75 1
736
75
6-.
69'5
0
2
2
B
B
B
7
77
84
80-5
87
70
17
148
61
68
2
N.E.
£,
7 1 ‘9
737
73 8
'7S3
■88 3
•835
84
76
80
0
2
0
B
B
B
8
79
86
82-5
: 87
7 2
15
144
57
68
4
N.E.
E.
72 ‘3
74' 2
73'2
•793
855
•82(
80
68
74
2
5
5
B
C
c
9
80
79
79‘5
! 85
7 l
14
I 22
37
68
; 3
N.E.
E.
73*3
73'9
73'6
•62 0
■839
•829
80
85
82-5
0
10
5
B
R
c
10
79
83
81
1 87.
7 2
15
133
; 46
68
4
E.
E.
7 p '3
73
720
793
•Sio
•80I
So
72
76
0
5
2
B
c
B
11
78
84
81
86
73
132
! 46
67
6
E.
E.
73 -9
74 «
73'4
'810
*840
•825
84
72
78
0
0
5
B
B
c
1*26
12
77
85
81
86
73
13
1 1 0
24
(6
7
N.E.
N E.
7 ( 3-6
73'4
73' 5
829
.826
•827
89
68
78-5
0
3
JO
B
C
R
13
77
78
77*5
82
7 2
IO
100
is
66*
6
N.E.
E.
73-6
746
74 i
•829
1 'S 57
'843
89
£9
89
2
3
10
C
C
R
•19
14
77
79
78
85
7 1
i 4 »
133
48
68
3
N.E.
N.E.
73'6
73 9
737
■829
S 39
834
89
85
87
3
5
2
C
C
B
■09
US
78
79
785
82
7 1
11
*25
43
66
5
N.E.
E.-
7W9
72'3
72-6
■810
793
'SOI
84
8a
82
2
5
IO
R
C
R
13
16
80
75
77'5
8q
7 l
9
1 bo
20
| 66
5
N.E.
N.E.
7 3‘3
75 ,
74 ’ 1
■820
■868
844
80
1 00
90
3
10
IO
c
R
R
■88
%
76
84
80
86
72
14
135
49
(8
4
N.E.
N.E.
743
74
74 -x
•848
*840
'844
94
72
83
3
2
0
r
B
B
18
74
7 2
73
7 «
7 2
6
. 85
7
68
4
N.E.
N.E.
7( 2 '3
72
72-1
'793
785
■789
94
100
97
IO
10
0
R
R
B
‘ 3 s
19
76
80
78
s$
15
1 10
! 25
68
2
E.
E.
7j2-6
71-6
72-1
‘8oi
775
788
89
75
82
2
2
0
C
B
B
.•56
20
75
79
77
80
7 °
10
105
1 2 5
68
2
E.
E.
71-6
73-9
727
774
•839
•8c6
89
85
87
5
5
10
C
C
R
2!
74
79
76-5
82
70 !
12
90
8
(8
2
E.
E.
72-3
73 ‘ 9 -
73 ’ 1
‘793
■839
•816
94
85
89-5
3 .
3
2
B
c
. B
22
79
<87
83
88 1
7 2
16
138
! 50
68
4
N'.'E.
N.E.
7 6-6
73‘9
72 2
749
•837
793
75
65
70
2
2
0
B
B
B
23
76
87
Sr 5
88
7 1 ,
18 i
I3 8
50
68
2
E.
E.
72-6
7 2-2 t
72-4
•801
792
796
89
61
75
2
0
0
B
B
B
24 1
80
84
82
86
72
15
no
24
68
3
N.W,
N.
73'3
74
73‘6
•820
*840
•830
So
7 2
76
0
3
0
B
C
B
2 5 !
82
86
84
86
7 1
16
128
40
67
5
N.E.
N.E.
73 ‘ 6
76-2
749
■830
■904
'867
/6
72
74
0
0
0
B
B
B
26
82
85
82-5
89 ;
7 i
18
137
48
.67
4
N.E.
S.E.
7.V 6
75
74'3
•830
•873
■851
76
7 2
74
0
O
IO
B
B
R
1 60
27
82
82 j
84
86
7i
15
i35
49
6 8
3
N.E.
S.E.
7 . 3‘3
75*3
75 3
% 7
•877
t".
00
80
80
80
O
2
IO
B
B
R
28
76
'S3
82-5
86
69 .
15
120
34
6 8
3
N.E.
E.
70-9
747
72-8
756
•856
-S06
84
76
80
O
2
0
B
B
B
29
77
85
82
87
70
18
138
51
6 8
1
S.E.
'S.E.
759
73'4
726
783
826
•804
84
68
76
2
5
2
B
C
B
■35
39
76
85
79‘5 .
86
70
16
135
49
6 S
2
E. 1
E.
70-9
71 -s
7^3
756
■781
•768
84
<-4
74
0
2
IO
B
B
R
■0.5
3 1
1
79
86
79'5
85
70
'5
130
45
(S
t
N.E,
E.
74’6
7i'6
7i- 1
■749
775
762
75
75
75
2
0
2
B
B
B
Total 6 59
State Surgeon’s Office, W. L. BR ADDON,
Seremban, 12th January , 1904. State Surgeon.
I
i
At i k I C U LI U K A L B ULLEI'IN
OK THE
STRAITS
AND
FEDERATED MALAY STATES.
No. 2. j FEBRUARY, 1905. [Vol. IV.
SOME FACTS ABOUT GUTTA PERCHA,
Gutta Percha, derived almost entirely from trees growing within
six or seven degrees of the equator, is naturally one of the most
important products of the Federated Malay States of Perak. Se-
langor, Pahang and Negri Sembilan. I will endeavour in this
article to give a general idea of the subject, under the following
heads: —
1. General, species distribution, etc.
II.. Measures taken for protection, past and present.
III. Methods of extraction.
IV. Manufacture, adulteration, lines of transit.
V. Properties.
I, — General.
The word Gutta Percha- is derived from the Malay word “ Get ah'” ,
which means any substance such as gum, latex, resin, etc., which
exudes from wounds or incisions in^the bark of trees. “ Percha
refers to the Malay name for Sumatra, “ Pulau Percha.” Gutta
Percha. therefore, originally meant Get»th from Sumatra.
Gutta Percha in its pure state may be taken to mean the coagu
lated latex of trees belonging to the genera Palaqmum (Syn,
Dichopsis, I son and ra) and Payena. Inferior Gutta Perchas are
yielded also by several species of Russia, and one or two species
of Ficus, but these will not be discussed here*, the object of this
article being to discuss the best Gutta Percha producing species,
which are also the ones found most commonly in the Federated
Malay States.
Mr. CURTIS, in the Agricultural Bu n etin of the Federated Malay
States and Straits Settlements, has madq the following observa-
tions : — “ Palaquium, the tree referred to as'”Getah Taban,” was
" originally described as an Isonandra . but subsequently found not
" to agree in certain particulars with that genus, consequently a
new genus was created, called i'Hchopsi < . Later it was found that
“ the characters of Dichofsis were identical with those of Pala-
“ a mum, which being of older date takes precedence under botam-
“ cal etiquette.” The best Gutta Percha is yielded by a tree known
as “Getali Taban” in these States, of which there are several
varieties, e. g . : —
Taban Merah, Palaquium oblongifohum or gutta.
Taban Chaier, ,, sp.
Taban Puteh, ,, pustulatum.
Taban Baik, „ sp.
Getah Sundik, Payena Leerii .
All these are good, except Taban Puteh which is much inferior
to the others. Considerable doubt exists amongst botanists as
regards to the specific names of numbers 2, 3 and 4, and P. oolongi-
foliuni and P. Gutta are by some considered as distinct species.
Local names cannot be depended on at all, as they differ in the
different States. Payena is not found in anything like such quan-
tities as Palaquium , and it is chiefly with the latter that I propose
to deal.
Palaquium Gutta is found in all four States, the best areas lyin*
between 2 degrees and 5 degrees North. It must be considered
as a dominant species, but exists at present, owing to the unregu-
lated and wholesale fellings by natives some years ago only in the
seedling and small pole stage.
It occurs most frequently on the low hills and plains, often on
steep hill sides, and up to 2,000 feet above sea level and even
? 000. It is found well represented in large blocks of forest,
varying in size from a few hundred acres to 10,000 or 15,000
acres in extent, while it may be practically absent in other areas
for long distances. On dose examination a great many ot the
young plants are found to be stool shoots, but there are many
seedlings also, although seed trees are not now to be found, this
looks as if the felling of mature trees did not cease till compara-
tively recently. The Taban tree is a shade beardr of the most pro-
nounced description, and is able Jo maintain the struggle for existence
successfully, if slowly, in these dense Evergreen forests. I hey
<r rbvv to a considerable size, the largest I have actual knowledge of
m this country was in Penang, and measured when blown down
52 feet in height and 42 inches in circumference at 14 feet from
the ground. 1 have seen mention of a tree 140 feet high in the
Philippines, and there is no doubt that it is an exceedingly slow
grower. At present poles 30 to 40 feet high arc fairly common in
these States, but large trees are rarities. In the Straits Settlements
Palaquium only exists in the natural state to a very small extent,
e a., in Malacca near Nyalas, not to mention a few scattered trees
in Penang and elsewhere. We must rely in the Colony on our
plantations or on the Federated Malay States, w'here large areas
are found containing this plant in the wild state. At present a
small plantation exists at Batu Ferringhi in Penang and another in
Malacca and Singapore. The P. Gutta tree is very easily recog-
35
nised by its leaves, which are coriaceous, oblong or obovate oblong,
and obtusely acuminate; in colour they are of a beautiful coppery
gold colour on the under surface, and dark glossy green on the
upper. In a mature tree the leaves are about two inches long, but
much longer in the young plant. In the forests this tree appears
to be very free from the attacks of disease, the only one I have seen
being in plantations, and caused by the larva ©f a moth which I
believe to be Rhodoneura , sp. This larva eats the young shoots
and leaves, and has done appreciable damage in Malacca.
II.— Measures of Protection.
The qualities of Gutta Percha became known about 1845, ar) d the
demand steadily increased from that time, till in the seventies there
was a rush for it by the natives of these States, the price rising rapidly
till 1902. Between 1895 and 1900 the exports from Singapore rose
from 2,642 tons to 5,831 tons. It may safely be said that from 1890
onwards the natives of these States were doing their best to obtain
Gutta Percha. Their method of extraction consisted in felling every
tree they came across and extraction of the latex in a wasteful rough
and ready manner, so that by the time the authorities awoke to the
fact that Palaquium was being wiped out (about 1898), it was too
late to save trees large enough to produce Gutta Percha. It is
difficult to see how this could have been prevented, however, as at
the time there was no properly organised Forest Department, and
whatever measures might have been adopted it would have been
impossible to effectively carry out in these dense unpopulated,
evergreen forests.
In Perak the export of Gutta Percha was prohibited in 1881, but
allowed again in 1887, the issue of passes to collect being prohibited
in 1900. The first timber rules, published in 1898 by the British
Residents of the various States, contained a protective measure which
was to the effect that no rubber bearing tree should be felled if of
less than 8 inches diameter. This rule could not, I imagine, be
enforced in practice, owing to want of an organised staff. In 1899
and 1900 the matter was taken up by the High Commissioner and the
Resident-General, and in the latter year the British Resident, Pahang,
issued orders to all his officers to do all that lay in their power to
prevent the destruction of Gutta Percha producing trees.
The question of planting was also discussed, but not in a very
practical manner.
The Forest Department was started in each State by the appoint-
ment of a local mail, in Perak in 1895, in Selangor in ^898, in Negri
Sembilan in 1899, and in Pahang not till 1902," when a member of
the Indian Provincial forest Service was sent over on deputation at
my request, I being deputed from India in October 1901, as Con-
servator of Forests.
Early in 1902 I suggested that an export; duty of 80 per cent ad
valorem be imposed on all Gutta Percha leaving these States, as a
means of putting a stop to the extraction and collection of this pro-
duct, a considerable period of absolute rest being obvious! v indica-
36
ted for all Gutta Percha producing trees. This recommendation was
acted upon.
The rules were also amended and the felling of trees for the ex-
traction of the latex was prohibited. In addition to these precau-
tions departmental instructions were issued to the effect that no
licences for the extraction of Gutta Percha were to be issued. At
the present time therefore it must be difficult to collect Gutta Percha
and export it in sufficient quantities to make it pay. That a certain
amount of smuggling goes on, I have no doubt, from the fact that
2 or 3 cases have come to light in which Chinamen were found in
possession of small quantities and were convicted of the offence.
Since 1902 the staff of the Forest Department has been greatly
increased, and I have reason to believe that the Government have
done and are now doing all that is in their power to assist in the
preservation of this valuable product.
As regards measures for protection from other causes of destruc-
tion, such as alienation of land fof mining and agriculture, the only
plan is to reserve all the valuable Palaquium areas, constituting
them forest reserves wherever possible, without interfering with
valuable tin bearing land. We already have an area of about
60,000 acres reserved, fairly rich in young Palaquium chiefly in
'Perak and Selangor, and probably as much more remains to be
taken up in Pahang and elsewhere.
Again before any large area of land is alienated the department
is referred to, and if alienation takes place in spite of the presence
of Palaquium we are given the opportunity of taking away the
young plants and transplanting them into reserved areas. In the
course of time, when all forest reservation has reached its natural
limit, Palaquium is bound to disappear from areas outside, nor does
this matter, as it is only practically possible to watch defined areas
when placed completely under the control of the Forest Department.
The exploitation of the Gutta Percha areas will only be possible
in reserved forests in a regular manner, areas being taken in hand
annually.
The natural regeneration of Palaquium as already stated is very
good, but growth is slow and assistance must be given. Our object
now is to encourage only t lie best species, l\ oblongifolium and
Gutl<i . Regular plantations, i. c. t planting in cleared areas from
seed is at present impossible in these States as 110 seed is available.
The method followed by the Forest Department here is to cut
lines through the dense undergrowth in the forest reserves, taking
up regular areas in turn, and to transplant into these lines young
Palaquium seedlings taken from outside the reserve in forests that
cannot for various causes be protected, or taken from groups
inside the reserve where fhey are growing too close, together. At
the present time we have an area more than 1,000 acres so planted
in Selangor.
In the Trollah reserve in Perak, Palaquium seedlings are so
numerous in the seedling and pole stage, that planting over a
37
considerable area is unnecessary. Here we resort only to improve-
ment fellings transplanting young plants into blanks only where-
ever necessary. The improvement fellings consist in clearing away
undergrowth interfering with young Palaquium plants, the operation
being repeated yearly or once in several years as may be necessary.
By this means the rate of growth of the young trees is greatly
increased. J have found the effect of this process to be very bene-
ficial, even in the two years since it was started. By such simple
methods as these it is hoped in a few years to have a very
considerable area of young Palaquium trees* about 40 to the acre.
One advantage in this system is the freedom from the attacks of
insects to which trees grown in pure plantations are liable. A
similar area to that in Selangor exists in Malacca, but the plants
are put in closer together and were obtained from Sumatra.
Similar plantations exist at Bukit Timah in Singapore and at Batu
Feringhi in Penang, but on a small scale.
UP— Methods of Extraction.
The latex of Palaquium exudes immediately on tapping, i. e., cut-
ting the bark, and consists of a milky looking white fluid, in young
trees rather thin, it coagulates very quickly and turns in the case
of “Taban me rah ", P, gutta , a light pink colour when hard, This
is doubtless due chiefly to the fact that the under side of the bark of
this species is reddish and small pieces of the bark get mixed up
with the latex while it is being rolled off. The rapid coagulation
and the fact that the tree only bleeds for a very short time from the
cut, are at the root of the disastrous system "of extraction of the
latex, viz., by felling the tree, tapping the living tree as with Para
rubber, being it was supposed impracticable.
The native method is to fell the trees and to cut ring-like incisions
round the fallen trunk at intervals of about 9 to 12 inches or even
less. These are quickly, filled by the latex, and in about half an
hour the pure Gutta Pereha can be rolled off on sticks. The product
is then boiled and shaped as desired, but many impuribesare in-
cluded such as chips of wood, bark/ dirt, etc.
This processes of course ver/ wasteful, as a good deal of late”
falls to the ground ; tffe latex which is contained immediately under-
neath the cut and touching the ground is also inaccessible. Again
the Gutta Pereha contained in the leaves and remaining bark and in
the twigs is not collected, and as will be seen later on this is a verv
considerable amount.
The same method is applied to Getah sundik, Payena Leerii
which produces a very white Gutta Pereha. Extraordinarily little
Gutta Pereha is produced by this means.
Dr. SHERMAN, in the Philippines/ estimated that only ' - of the
total quantity contained was extracted by natives, and from other
experiments it is said to be certain that not more than -h is ob
tained. 10
In Penang in 1900 a tree was felled 39 inches in circumference at
5 feet from the ground, with a height of 55 feet, height to the first
6 /iS
33
branch being 35 feet. This tree was thought to be about 50 years
old. The Gutta Percha was extracted by the above mentioned native
method under the personal supervision of the Superintendent
of the Botanic Gardens, and yielded only i$ lbs. of Gutta Percha.
Another tree blown down in 1901., 52 feet high and 42 inches in
circumference, yielded by the same method lbs. only. Dr.
Sherman had a tree felled in the Philippines, 160 feet ip height and
8 feet in circumference, which yielded only 81 lbs., whereas he
estimated that coulJ all the latex in the leaves and bark have been
obtained he would have extracted 150 to 200 lbs.
Other methods of extraction have been tried, e.g., from the leaves
and bark. The green leaves of the best species of Palaquium contain
up to 3 per cent of pure Gutta Percha and the bark about 5 per cent.
A company was started in Singapore whicn, by simple mechanical
means, extracted Gutta Percha from them, but 1 believe that great
difficulty was met with in the procuring of sufficient leaves. I be-
lieve this method. of extraction .could be employed in the native
States were the necessary plant set up close to the forest. Extraction
can also be effected from dried leaves by this method,' but there is
great loss through oxidisation while drying gradually.
There are also various methods of extraction of the latex by
chemical means, but I believe I am right in saying that these are
less satisfactory as regards the produced Gutta Percha. I am very
doubtful whether extraction from the leaves only, ?>., from leaves
gathered from standing trees without tapping the tree, would be a
success from an economical point of view. From what we know the
best method would seem to be to fell the tree, but to extract- every
ounce of latex from the bark, twigs and leaves of the felled tree.
This would not present* any great difficulties. In any case it is
obvious that the method of collection from leaves only is a most
dangerous one if carried out by natives as they cut down the young
saplings in order to reach the leaves, otherwise inaccessible without
great trouble, whereas were they collecting by their own methods
it woufd not pay to fell trees °of less than* a certain size. Again
Palaquium appears to be a very slow growing tree and what effect
the stripping of some or all of the leaves, even at considerable in-
ternals would have, is very uncertain. So far the Forest Department
in the Federated Malay States has not concerned itself greatly with
methods of extraction, all its energies must for the present be
devoted to the protection and cultivation of the trees. There is
ample time m« which to make experiments. Lately some fairly large
trees have been found in the forests and I intend before long to
make experiments in tapping the living trees ; it is quite possible by
tapping the tree from the base upwards to a considerable height a
good quantity of latex may obtained without seriously affecting
the vigour of the tree. Of this however I have no great hopes as
as I have heard that tapping as hitherto attempted has had an in-
jurious effect,
I may here mention that from the leaves of P. pustulatum y which
I sent to Singapore^ but very little Gutta Percha could be extracted, in
39
fact practically none at all. From P. gutta, however, over 2 per cent
was obtained, but 1 am informed that the Gutta Percha so obtained
is not of the first quality and will not do for cables.
IV— Manufacture and Transit.
According to M. Coluet who published a pamphlet on the subject
nearly all the Gutta Percha of commerce goes to Singapore, where
it passes through the hands of Chinese middlemen, the cleverest adul-
terators in the world. To such an extent has adulteration been carried
on that the finished article they turn out resembles but slightly pure
Gutta Percha as taken from the tree, and he adds “it is impossible
to determine the origin of the Gutta Perchas comprising the reboiled
of Singapore/’ This is greatly to be regretted and I feel sure that
the present enormous fall in price is partly' accounted for by the
adulteration to which this product has been subjected. As will
be seen further on the prices lately quoted in Singapore for Gutta
Percha are less than those current for very ordinary India rubber
of low grade. It is a well known fact that the exports of Gutta
Percha from Singapore greatly exceeded the imports. This is
however partly explained by the fact that very inferior “getahs u
such as “ Jelutong,-” [Dyer a costulata ) are shewn when imported
as inferior India rubbers, and when mixed with Gutta Percha and
exported as such. “Jelutong” can hardly be called a Gutta
Percha however and this only bears out my statement. Whereas
the price of Gutta Percha rose in 1902 to $600 per pikul, one
pikul=i^3i lbs., the average price of getah Jelutong is only $>6.50.
Gutta Percha also finds its way into Singapore under the name
of India rubber, also a certain amount is probably brought in by
passengers and smuggled through, in small quantities at a time.
V. — Properties of Gutta Percha.
As is generally known pure Gutta Percha, when heated, becomes
soft, malleable and plastic, but when allowed to cool it becomes 5
hard, retaining any shape given it when hot. Pure Gutta Percha
is so hard that it would be difficult to drive a nail into it when in
the cool state. In composition it differs from India rubber more
physically than chemically. It burns freely with a very charac-
teristic odour. When exposed to air for any length of time, it
oxidises, when its insulating qualities and durability decrease, hut
if kept In water its duration is indefinite.
Acids do not affect it unless concentrated.
Its chief value of course arises from the fact that It is unaffected
by sea water ; this and its insulating qualities make it invaluable
for submarine cables.
The chemical composition according to W. P, Brandt is as
follows : —
*
Carbon
86-36
Hydrogen
12-15
Oxygen
1 *49
IOOOO
40
Its physical composition according to -Pa vex : — -
Gutta .. 78-82
Albane ... 16*14 (crystalline resin)
Thiari-n ... 5*04 -
roQ'OO
H is a great pity that- in Singapore and in the Malay States
generally the term (ntltci is used indiscriminately' to mean either India
rubber or Gutta Percha, as this leads to great inaccuracy in returns.
SOME FACTS ABOUT THE TRADE.
In 1880, Great. Britain impaled from the Straits Settlements
68,862 cuts, of Gutta Perch a valued at £505,821, while in 1876 the
imports were only 19,665 cu ts., ‘and in 1878, 49,387 cwls. Thus it
would seem that the rush for this product cairn* on between 1876
and 1880, or within the last 28 years. In 1890 the price was 3/6
per pound, but rose to $4,60 * n 1902.
The exports from Singapore for the last 18 years are as follows : —
1886 :
Pikuls
33.946
1895 Pikub
; 43 , 9 io
1887
Do.
25,539
1896
Do.
43,769
1888
Do.
23,71 7
1897
Do.
45,4 17
1889
Do.
59.493
1898
Do.
93.398
1890
Do.
<78,930
1 899
Do.
7 8,343
1891
Do.
54,026
1900
Do.
97.399
1892
Do.
41.990
1901
Do.
73 . 8 1 5
1893
Do.
38,045
1902 *
Do.
63.559
1894
Do.
4-6841
1 903
Do.
3 5566 r
■ The question which naturally forces itself on cone’s mind is, will
there be any demand for Gutta Percha by the time the Federated
Malay States' forests have been given time to recuperate, and will the
price ever reach the high one of 1902. A substitute may be invented
or submarine cables may become unnecessary ; either of these two
contingencies failing it is difficult to see why the demand should not
be even greater than heretofore. In this case it will be advisable for
the Government to transmit its Gutta Percha direct to agents or
manufaeturers at home, and above all not to send it to Singapore to
be changed beyond all recognitions by the 'Chinese middlemen.
Appended is a statement of the highest prices of three qualities of
Gutta Percha exported from Singapore during its zenith and decline.
1 am told that this decline of first quality is largely^ due to the fall-
ing off of the demand for the best quality owing to the cessation at
present of work on laying cables, but do not think this the only cause.
A. M. BURN-MUEDOCH.
p
TIMBER TRADE IN THE BINDINGS.
In the Bindings the principal species utilized for Timber are as
follows : —
Class I B. — Meranti, Niato, Medang, Manggis Hutan, Merawan
and Grongang.
Class II. — Septiere, 1 'along Avam, Durian Hutan, Jelutong.
Some of the trues due to a complete 1 overhead leaf canopy result-
ing in a thick Inver of im decomposed leaves, fail to show a better
seedling growtli. Admission of light by interruptions in the canopy
seems ’advantageous as is evidenced in coupes where ad jacent trees
are in hearing.
The only drawbacks to a representative pole crop is that these
parts have never as yet been allowed a sufficient period of rest for
the seedlings to establish themselves as frequent fellings over the
same area have left t heir traces op the -present constitution of the
forests.
Chengal, Damar Laut, I’etaling, Resale and other hard wood pqjes
are also sadly wanting as they were not only much in demand for
the construction of the native houses, fencings, fishing stakes, masts
etc., locally, but also formed an export for ages past.
The Crown lands are worked by Chinese kongsis consisting of
lindals, clerk, cook, buffalo drivers and the requisite number of
timber cutters and sawyers. Licences are issued and the royalty
is collected bv tonnage (50 cubic feet= 1 ton) on the basis of
$3 per ton of converted Class I B. timber and $2 for Class II. The
trees are marked for felling by the Forest Department and are then
logged into 16 feet length if convertible into planks. The logs are
trimmed into waney baulks and then sawn into transportable sizes.
Buffaloes drag it out overtrades made of jungle rollers laid at right
angles to the direction of the path. They are then built into rafts
and floated down to the sawyard and hand-sawn, different sized
planks, scantlings and battens being extracted so as to completely
utilize the wood.
I he coolies are paid according to qualifications ranging from $8
to $12 per mensem, whenever possible. “ Sinkehs ’’ are employed,
the latter being cheap labour. Sawyers and cutters are paid at con
tract rates. Coolies on daily wages of about 40 cents per day are
engaged in clearing paths, building rolling roads, turning over and
lifting logs into position for trimming and sawing in the forest
Trimmed logs, if large, are sawn into transportable sizes by the
coolies at contract rates, their daily wages being stopped for the
time.
Tindals align paths and supervise sawing in the forests and
sawyards so that the largest dimensioned planks may be obtained,
This requires some skill and is dependent on the peculiar defects in
the wood.
All the inmates of the kongsi get free rations consisting of rice,
42
dried fish, beans and lard, except the sawyers who are charged at
9 cents per day. There is a small garden attached lo the kongsi-
house where some of the coolies plant up vegetables for their own
consumption and sale if possible. Rents for occupation of Crown
land at the rate of <$ i per mensem are charged and accredited to
the Land Department.
The Krani keeps a daily register of attendance and outturn of
work. He is also in charge of a small shop and the profits credited
to the Towkay.
Contract Rates.
For 1 6 ft. logs per inch of mean | Saw yard Rates. *
(Harriet er.
w-
Felling, logging and ti
*i mining
-
4
cents*
1 «
’ x
//
3
X
I (/=
- 3 cts. per each.
(/;).
Trimming alone up to
15" dia-
meter=2 5 cents ...
. . .
3
X
3
X
16=
6 „ „ „
Do.
1 6" up to 30" diam. =
= 30 cts.
4
X
4
X
16=
; 7 >1 ■ „ ->
Do.
3 i" 45 " =
= 45 »
2
4
X
8
X
16=
7 » » >«
Do.
4 6" and over =
= 60 ,,
I i
X
ro
X
16=
t ^ >1 )>
(c).
Sawing into transportable
I
sizes: —
. * .
X
10
X
16 =
13 M » »
2\ cents per inch width,
, if over
15" width, 3 cents
2
X
10
X
t 6 =
X 4 >> » M
1
2
X
4
X
16 =
5 „ »
* The coolie who assists in logging has to be paid 40 cents per claj by the person
who is paid at contract rate.
Seven hundred and sixty-six trees of over 6 fett girth were marked resulting in an
export of about 2,000 tons of converted timber for the year 1904.
V. P. BORGFS.
RUBBER NOTES
.Three biscuits of Para rubber made In I he Botanic Gardens were
given to Surgeon C. G. Mathews, some months ago, who gave
them for examination to the Managing Directors of the Victoria
Rubber Works, Leith, Scotland, who thought them not as strong
tensilely as smoked Para. He considered that “ it is a hard fact
that smoked or Fine Para is worth from 6d. to gd. per lb. more than
the same unsmoked. It is increased thereby ‘n tensile strength so
much so that it is the only rubber that can he used in the manufac-
ture of ejas'ic thread.” He says that such is the demand for rubber
at the present moment that he doubts all Mala) a being able to pro-
duce enough to material fy affect the market and says that there is
no use haggling with brokers or employing any sort of middleman,
for the manufacturers would be only too glad to buy rubber such as
was sent direct in any quantity the planters can turn out and further-
43
more that his Company alone would he happy to take the entire
output of Malaya for the next live years could it be kept up to the
standard of the samples sent.
Editor.
FIBRE.
'1 he Government of the Philippine Islands.
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Agriculture
Manila, P.L
December 28th , 1904,
Office of The Chief of Bureau,
Sen or Don Carlos Juan Schirmer,
Consul de la Republica Argentina , Singapore. #
Dear Sir,— I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your
recent communication relative to fibre cleaning machinery.
The annual export of Manila hemp from the Philippines now
exceed two million pikuls. valued at something more than $20,000,000
All of this fibre is cleaned by a slow wasteful process requiring a
large amount of labour and giving, in general, an inferior product.
There is a great demand for a machine that will clean Manila hemp
fibre and a number of American inventors are now endeavouring to
perfect such a machine. We also export considerable maguey fibre,
while pineapple, murva, and pandang are widely distributed through-
out the Archipelago. There is an excellent opportunity in this
country for the introduction of fibre-extracting machinery.
I note with interest your remarks concerning the future of San-
sevieria fibre. We Jiave received excellent samples of this fibre from
different parts of the Philippines and are now experimenting with the
plant in our Manila gardens. •
I have, etc.,
H. P. EDWARDS,
Fibre Expert. Bureau of Agriculture.
FIBRES — {Continued).
Fourctoyas . — The Fourcroyas are •commonly known as green
aloes or Mauritius hemp. All are natives pf Central America, but
several kinds have been distributed as ornamental or fibre plants in
different parts of the tropics where they have been cultivated. As
a rule, they possess bigger and thinner leaves than the true aloes and
the agaves (American aloes) and the leaves are always bright green
44
(excepting a few variegated ornamental varieties) and so are easily
distinguished from the blue green foliage of the agaves. Upwards of
twenty kinds have been described, but of these only comparatively a
few have been utilized as fibre plants, One species Fourcrova for
Furcroea ) gigantea produces a strong thick trunk 4 to 6 feet tall.
The others, if they produce a stem of any size at all, only develop
a short one 6 to 12 inches long. As these plants die after flowering,
the development of the trunk really depends on the length of time
the plant takes to flower, in other words the length of the life of the
plant.
The plants are propagated by bulbils produced in enormous
abundance in the axils of the flower spikes after the fall of the
flower, but in F. gigantea and occasionally in other species of slow
growth a few shoots are also produced in the stem below the leaves.
The bulbils are planted in nurseries till they are about one foot or
a foot and a half across the leaves and then can be planted out. They
should be planted not less than six feet apart, in fairly good soil,
though some of the species grow well in very poor clayey soil. They
prefer full sun if planted in heavy shade, or very damp spots, they
make but slow growth, the leaves are small and flaccid. In a good
sunny spot the leaves are broad stiff and thick, and attain in some
species a length of 8 to 10 feet. When the plant is about a year
old, its leaves are ready to cut, only the lowest leaves are taken,
three or* more at the top must be left or the plant will die When full
grown the plant produces flowers (called “poling”). It throws up
a stem several inches through to a height of r2 or more fee t above
the plant, ending in a spreading loose panicle of numerous white and
green flowers. The leaves now droop and wither. The bulbils are pro-
duced in the axils of the flower and fall soon in piles on the ground, and
then the whole plant, unless by chance it has thrown up suckers, dies
completely. The pole or flower stalk, when dry is pithy and pieces of
it can be used as razor strops. It is stated that income places cut
ting the leaves for fibre making causes the plant to pole very soon.
I have no direct evidence of this and it certainly does not occur in
most places where it is cultivated. Possibly this only occurs in
certain species.
The fruit which is an oblong cay -ule with thin flat seeds never
seems to be produced in this country.
The plant is sometimes grown round estates and railways to pre-
vent cattle trespass and the invasion of wild pigs, deer, etc. Its
sharp pointed leaves radiating in all directions effectually prevent
animals from crossing it.
The two species most commonly grown for fibre are F. gigantea
and F. cube nsis.
F. gigantea is distinguished by its usually producing a trunk
four to six feet tall and 6 to 8 inches through and having the leaves
thornless along the edge or nearly so.
F. cubensis produces no trunk and the leaves are armed with
strong thorns;
45
Fibre . — The iibre of Mauritius hemp is extracted from the leaves
by simply pounding and beating the leaves with water and washing
the fibre so extracted or by machinery. The first method is used
by natives of India where the plant is largely grown, and the fibre
is sent home under the name of Bombay Hemp. It is of very in-
ferior quality. «
A number of machines more or less suitable have been invented
for the extraction of Mauritius hemp, one of the earliest and best
known was Death's machine. If, however, was not altogether satis-
factory. and the Hogan Machine which has been lately mentioned
in the Bulletin seems to be a more satisfactory working machine.
Very excellent samples of the fibre of F. gigantca were exhibited
at the Agricultural Show last year prepared by this machine.
Formerly there was a factory and plantation of Fourcroya at
Pulau Battam, South of Singapore, where Death’s machine was
used. It turned out good samples of the lietnp, but prices were then
low and the death of the manager put an end to the estate. The
juice of the leaves is very corrosive, and acts on iron, but is said to
produce less effect on cast iron, and none on brass and copper, ft
is very irritating to the hands and India rubber gloves are required
in manufacturing the fibre.
Dodge gives the out-turn of fibre from leaves of F. cubmsis at
from 2, os to 3. f 5 per cent of green leaves. In Jamaica (Dr. Morris)
3664 ibs. green leaves gave 28 lbs. green iibre weighing jl lbs. when
dry. This works out at 2.05 per cent of the green leaf. Mr.
SCHIRMER in the table of comparison of fibres published below,
obtained 8.06 per cent wet fibre which when dry gave 2.69 per cent.
The fibre is white strong and bright somewhat thicker than Mur-
va, and is much in request for bags, cordage, carpets and the like.
Its value is approximately £28 per ton, when of good quality. Re-
cent values will be found in recent numbers of the Bulletin .
Mauritius hemp is undoubtedly a plant, well suited for cultivation
m the Malay Peninsula. It is very easy of cultivation requiring verv
little expenditure and no great amount of labour. It is easily pro-
pagated, and gives a very fair proportion of fibre from the leaves,
indeed, it will be seen from the table annexed that it is only ap-
proached in this by Karatas, and gives double or more than double
what can be obtained from Manila hemp (abaca), common plantain
and pineapple. It is easy to work and constantly in demand.
1 here can be therefore no reason why this cultivation should not
be re-introduced on a large scale and with the suitable machine now
in use, might give a very good return, either as a permanent cultiva-
tion or as a catch crop while rubber is growing. In the latter case
n planted round and through the estate along the paths and borders
it would also act as a protective hedge against the w ild beasts which
attack the young rubber plants. — Editor.
6/S?
46
Result of work with Messrs. Hogan & Co., Limited , Fibre
Scraping Machine :
•
Wet out of
1 machine from
j Gross weight
of leaves
Wet to dry
Dry fibre,
from Gross
weight of
leaves
Karatas ...
Abaca {Manila hemp)
Pisang (common banana)
Pineapple ... ... i
Aloes (Fourcroya) ... ....
8-io%
6 - 54 %
S'2 8%
4 ' 5 °%
S'06%
_ (
2 g’i 6 %
IS- 18 %
II ‘ 49 %
2T77%
33' 33%
2 ’37%
'■‘ 7 %
0 - 6 !%
>■ 25 %
2-69%
ON THE FRUIT USED FOR COLORING
BEAN-CHEESE.
Specimens of the iruit used in coloring bean-cheese as described
in Bulletin were sent to Kew for identification where they were
recognized as those of the Chinese Gardenia, Gardenia florida.
Editor.
CULTIVATION AND PREPARATION
OF PARA RUBBER,
BY
W. H. JOHNSON.
This is a nicely got up little book of 96 pages by the Director of
Agriculture on the Gold Coast, and is illustrated with six plates. As at
present very little has been done in the Gold Coast in rubber plant-
ing, it is natural that this work should be mainly a compilation of
papers published in the Malay Peninsula, Ceylon and elsewhere.
With respect to the site for the plantation as to whether dry or wet
land is best, the author states that many failures have been ex-
perienced by planters endeavouring to cultivate the tree in swampy
land 1 he critic does not remember to have heard of anv such
cases. Recently, a statement has been published saying that the
assertion that wild Para rubber grows on swamp land is incorrect
and that it grows 011 high land, but all the best authorities who have
had much experience in Brazil, M. Bonnecheaux, M. ClBOJ and
others state that the low swampy flooded ground of the Botanic Gar-
dens rubber plantation is exactly similefr to the habitat of the plant
in Northern Brazil.
I do not think the time has come yet when we can say it thrives
equally well on dry soil. No plantations in such ground have been
long enough in work to say this. The account of insect and fungoid
pests is not quite up to date, and the statement that the Platypus
beetle causes a certain amount of damage to trees in the Straits
Settlements is somewhat misleading* The insect only attacks dead
wood, and will not touch living trees, hut mere or less hurries up
the death ot a dying tree. No allusion is made to the canker
fungus, or tin more serious Fames semi tost us, nor to the leaf-fungi,
and even Ter me s Gestroi, is barely alluded to. Some of the numer-
ous tapping instruments are described, and the well known Ceylon
one is recommended; but this instrument is useful only for trees
which h ive never previously been tapped, ft has been found quite
useless for old trees, as the bark becomes too hard and irregular for
its use. It would have been as well to have explained this. The
author gives a long quotation from Dr. Weber as to the coagulation
of rubber with formaldehyde, and attempted to carry out Dr. Weber’s
instructions with Para rubber, and met with a failure as might be
expected as one gathers from Dr. , Weber’s account that he was
working with castilloa latex. It is well known that Formaldehyde
will keep Para rubber latex from coagulating for many months,
He suggests smoking the biscuits which has long been done, but
somehow manufacturers seem to prefer them unsmoked, and states
that artificial heat is not absolutely essential, but hastens the drying
process which it does but as unless very slight ruins the rubber^ and
it would have been better to warn planters against using it at all.
Taken as a whole the book is a very useful little one for beginners,
and contains a number of useful hints. New methods and processes
for this work are constantly being discovered or suggested and per-
haps a later edition will be full of the very latest information.
The Editor ,
RUBBER TAPPING
Amherst, Lower Bur m ah,
January 21st, 1903.
Agricultural Bulletin of S. S. and
F. M. S., Singapore.
Dear Sir,— Referring to the instructive experiments on rubber
lapping by Mr. Machado in March, April, and again in the latter
part of May which were not so satisfactory as the previous tappings
owing to the trees being in bloom, I certainly think that you have
solved the problem of getting the largest yield with the least injury
to the tree, for young trees especially , and also of distributing the
labor supply which is a very important point to be looked at in the
near future. At the same time may I suggest that there were one
or two drawbacks to its complete success in proving the value of this
method of tapping, i. e.,
1. The great difference between the age and girth of the trees
selected ranging from 6 to 15 years, and girth ranging from
1 ' 8" to 5 ' t ",
2. As the experiment was not' 4 carried out long enough in the best
season (2. e from when the new leaves appear and before the bloom
commences) it is as yet uncertain at what number of tappings the
largest yield could be obtained.
At the present stage of the rubber planting industry most planters
are anxious to know what they may expect to get from 6 to 7 year
old bees. Now, as you mentioned (page 46, Agricultural Bulletin
S. S. and F. M. S.) 25 trees out of two hundred were under two f eet in
girth and young trees of 6 to 8 years of age. 1 would propose that you
authorize an experiment to be made on these trees, and also invite
planters that already have Para rubber trees of about two feet girth
more or less to publish their experiments in the Agricultural Bulletin
for the benefit of the community : personally I would be only too
pleased to contribute, but unfortunately my oldest Para rubber trees
are only four years old and not ready for tapping.
May I suggest that the experiment may be done something
similar to as follows : —
1. Select trees ranging from about 18" to 26" mentioning the age.
2. Make 2 or 3 incisions 2" in length (possibly 3 would be too
many on such small trees) commencing the first day at about 6 feet
from the ground, and make new incisions daily about one inch under
the other cuts so that the tree could be tapped at least 70 times
before reaching the base.
3. Mention which kind of tapping tool is found to be the best for
making the small incisions. The E. P. & E. Coy. s’ patent tapping
knife ought to be just the thing for this kind of tapping.
4. Tap between when the' new leaves appear and before the
bloom commences, and if possible again in September, October.
5. Tap daily, for, (1) by previous experiments of Messrs. Arden
and Derry, page 312 and 328, Agricultural Bulletin Vol. 1, noth-
ing is gai ned by allowing an interval.
(2). By tapping daily much confusion would be avoided when
working on a large scale.
Feeling assured that such an experiment would be extremely
useful to the majority ol rubber planters, and would also prove
what your first experiment left uncertain, and if planters with avail-
able trees of different ages and girth were to iap them, keeping the
records separately of trees ranging from 18" to 243 24" to 30",
30" to 36", etc,, we should then find the true value of this method of
tapping to compare with others.
I have, etc.,
W S. TODD.
49
GLYCINE HISPIDA.
The Soybean, Glycine hispida , of which I recently sowed some
seeds obtained from a Soy factory, germinated with fair rapidity and
grew well on being planted out. It commenced to fruit when only
about six inches tall. The flowers are all cleistogamous, that is to
say, the petals never develop and the flower never opens but is
fertilized by itself in the bud. At the time of fertilization the bud
is less than a quarter of an inch long, with a green hairy five-pointed
calyx and minute pale blue petals which soon become pale pink
and persist without developing further for some time during the
ripening of the fruit. The ovary is green and covered with white
hairs and the style is decurved on it so that the stigma comes into
contact with one of the minute black anthers and is thus fertilized,
thus the plant is quite independent of insect agency for its ferti-
lization and would fruit anywhere. It might be worth while seernc*
the large demand there is for the beans here to try the use of this
plant as a catch crop.
I note one enemy it has in the form of a minute black beetle
(apparently one of the Hahicidae) which nibbles the leaves and
makes small spots on them. I have seen it also on other beans.
Editor.
NOTE ON A PECULIAR FLOW OF LATEX
IN A HEVEA
As a rule, when a Para rubber tree is opened by the herring-bone
method, the flow of latex commences immediately and continues for
about an hour when it ceases to produce anymore. There is a latfge
tree, however, in the Singapore Botanic Gardens, which behaves in a
very different manner. When the cuts are opened, no latex or very
little appears for from an hour to an hour and a half. It then com-
mences to flow freely for several hours, requiring a cup to be changed
several times. Thu when tapped at 5 \ M. it had only just ceased to
flow at 1 p. m. All the adjacent trees flowed naturally, and the
cause of this curious action is not at all clear. The tree wlWh
otherwise altogether resembles those next to it had previously (some
years ago; been tapped on the same side.
Editor.
Malay Peninsula Agricultural Association.
A General Meeting.
A General Meeting was held on Tuesday, the 24th January, 1905
at No. 5, Weld Quay, when the following Members were present:—
H011. J. Turner — President, Mr. T. Row— Vice-President Mr.
L. es Chasseriau, Mr. K. es Chasseriau, Mr. Joseph Mojr’ Mr*
F ‘ 0. Halufax, Mr. John Symes, Mr. D. Douglas, Mr. D,
C/52.
R itch ik, Mr, E. M. Jan i ox, Mr. G. Stothard, Mr. A. Craw-
ford and Mr, J. SARGANT — Secretary.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.
The notice calling this meeting was read.
The Secretary read the reply from the Superintendent of Indian
Immigrants with reference to a statement made by Mr. Hill, the
Protector of Labour, Federated Mala}’ St'-ites, to Mr. 1 . Boyd with
regard to' recruiting, in India.
Thg President stated that he had interviewed the Resident-General
with regard to the free-tickets which were promised to this Associa-
tion by Sir WlLI.lAM TREACHER. the late Resident-General, Feder-
ated Malay States. Mr. Taylor adheres to the decision that these
tickets shall be used for labour imported exclusively into the Feder-
ated Malay Slates.
Mr. F. O. Hallifax proposed that a letter be sent to the Straits
Government asking that similar assistance be given to Planters in
the Colony for importing their labour, as the Federated Malay
States Government are doing for Planters in the Federated. Malay
States, and that a copy of the correspondence between -the Associa-
tion and the Federated Malay States Government be attached to the
letter. This was seconded by Mr. T. Boyd and carried.
Mr. Boyd proposed that the items Nos. r and 2 on the agenda he
left in abeyance for the present. If coolies continue to come over
in large numbers another meeting can be called to decide the ques-
tions/ Seconded by Mr. SrOTHARD and carried.
Correspondence was read with regard to the contracts of Javanese
Ii^dgrants, and the President stated what was being done in the
mftter which the members considered satisfactory.
The President proposed that the Superintendent of Indian Immi-
grants be asked to allot to Mr. Symes, of Bagan Dato Estate, the
full number of coolies he has^ applied for, 151, by the 30th of
June, 1905, say 30 per month/ as the free-tickefs can only be used
up to that date.
Mr. Symes said if the proportion of women cannot be obtained,
he would take men in their place.
Seconded by Mr, Boyd and carried.
Mr. J ANION, the Manager of the Chartered Bank, said he had lived
some time in Java and Sumatra and was personally acquainted with
the Dutch Government Officials in those places, and he would have
much pleasure in doing anything in his power to further the interests
of the Association in the matter of getting over labourers from Java.
The President thanked Mr. JANION for his kindness in offering
his valuable services.
The President proposed that the Association offer two prizes for
essays on Rubber, its cultivation, mode of tapping arid manipulation,
etc, One prize to be for Para rubber, and the other for Gutta
Rambong. He referred also to the series of Agricultural Shows
inaugurated by the Government, the next of which is to be held in
Penang in August, saying that the Association should use every en-
deavour not only by its influence as a body of agriculturalists but
also individually to make the Show a success,
Mr. STOTHARD proposed that the President with Messrs. BOYD
and Crawford form the Committee to go into these matters and
arrange who are to be the Judges to award the prizes for the best
essays on Rubber.
Seconded by Mr. J. Moir and carried.
The President said that he was sure we must all hail with great
satisfaction the growing interest which' was being taken in agricul-
tural matters by the Press of the Colony. Hardworking agricultur-
alists did not, unfortunately, often bring forward their views in the
new spapers, but they fully recognized the necessity for its being
done here and appreciated the efforts made in that direction.
He instanced Ceylon, from which country the “ Tropical Agricul-
turalist and many other valuable publications emanate as being a
striking instance of the development of agriculture due in no small
measure to the influence of the Press.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Notices to Subscribers.
1. For the information of subscribers and others who wish to
complete their series of Bulletins, notice is given that numbers
i, 7, 8 and g, of the old Series (1891 to 1900) and Nos. 1, 8, 9 and
10, of New Series, Vol. I (1901-1902) have been reprinted and
copies can be had by all whose subscriptions are paid up to date.
The cost to others is 50 cents a number.
2. A very large number of subscriptions, even for last year, are
yet unpaid although subscribers have received more than one notice
of the delay in payment. As this entails a good deal of extra work
on the staff, subscribers are asked to send in their subscriptions
without delay. Attention is. called to the rule that all subscriptions
should be prepaid.
3. Suoscribers changing their addresses are requested to o-ive
notice to the Editor.
4. Subscribers outside the Peninsula will in fuLure be charged
§3.50 per annum instead of §3 to cover postage.
Meteorological observers are asked to send in their returns to
arrive before theAoth day of the following month, if possible, so as
to be in time for going to press.
52
Rainfall for February, 1^05 : —
Government Hill
... Ins. 2-35
The Prison
„ 3-06
Pulau Jerejak
. ... „ -2 I
Balik Pulau
r-6 1
The Fort
ri7
Eumut
5 '7 2
Pangkor
3 ' 1 5
Bruas
T°1
M. E. SCKIVEE,
Assistant Surgeon,
Prison Observatory.
Penang, 8th March, /(joj.
53
SINGAPORE MARKET REPORT.
February, 1903.
Articles.
Quantity
sold.
Highest
price.
Tons.
Coffee — Palemhang -
-
-
34 -oo
Bali
-
26.50
Liberian
177
24.00
Copra
- 3.064
8.85
Gambier
9'4
-
9.124
Cube Gambier, Nos. 1 and 2
182
13-75
Gutta Percha, 1st quality
...
200.00
Medium
-
100.00 1
Lower
80.00
Borneo Rubber I. 2, and 3
-
145.00
Gutta Jelutong
-
7-ro
Nutmegs, No. 1 10’s
-
39 -oo
No. So\s
. ...
6 1 <
Mace, Banda
... ■
95-00
Amboy n a
...
76.00
Pepper, Black
867
. 26.55
White (Sarawak)
220
39 -oo
Pearl Sago, Small
* 95
4.70
Medium
.0
4 -i.
Large
5 - d
Sago Flour, No. 1
- 2,712
^ * 1
3.25
No. 2
25
i.|
Flake Tapioca, Small
304
4-50
(Ex) Medium
-
4.50 1
Pearl Tapioca, Small
237 .|
4-40
Medium
80 i
4.30
Bullet
105
5*75
Tin
■ I,5«>
77.371
Lowest
price.
29.50
24.50
22.50
7.60
8-75
12.25
f 50.00
90.0c
19.00
90.00
6 -75
38.50
)o
88.00
70. 00
25.00
38.00
4.60
3-0-5
4-40 j
4*5° j
4.30 j-
4-15 j
575j
76.50
m
iso
Export Telegram to Europe and America.
For Fortnight ending 15th February. 1005.
Wired at 4,45 p.m. on 1 6th February, 1905.
Tin
Str. Singapore & Penang to
United Kingdom & or
Tons.
1,300
Do.
* Do.
U. S. A,
U3 30
Do.
Do.
Continent
285
Gambler
Singapore
Glasgow
Do.
Do.
London
Do.
Do,
Liverpool
75
Do.
,. Do.
U. K, &/or Continent
375
Cube Gambier
Do.
United Kingdom
35
Black Pepper
Do.
Do.
25
Do.
,, Penang
Do.
10
White Pepper
Singapore
Do.
90
Do.
,, Penang
Do.
Pearl Sago
Singapore
Do. •
9°
Sago flour
' Do.
London
22 5
Do.
„ Do.
Liverpool
875
Do.
,, Do.
Glasgow
50
Tapioca P'lake
Singapore & Penang
United Kingdom
170
\ T. Pearl & Bullets
,, Do.
Do. '
360
Tapioca Flour
Penang
Do.
400
Gutta Percha
,. Singapore
Do.
35
Buffalo Hides
Do.
Do
I2 5
Pineapples
Do.
Do. rases
20,000
Gambier
Do.
U. S. A.
360
Cube Gambier
Do.
Do.
45
Black Pepper
' Do.
Do.
90
Do.
Penang
Do,
30
WQe Pepper
,, Singapore
Do.
10
Do.
, Penang
Do.
5o
T. Flake & Pearl
Singapore & Penang
Do.
175
Nutmegs
Do.
Do.
IS
Sago Flour
Singapore
Do.
Pineapples
Do.
Do. cases
2,000
Do.
Do.
Continent
1,000
Gambier
Do.
S. Continent
100
Do.
Do.
N. Continent
35
Cube Gambier
Do.
Continent
70
Black Pepper
,, Do.
S. Continent
160
Do.
Do.
N. Continent
no
Do.
Penang
S. Continent
ro
Do.
Do.'
N. Continent
White Pepper
Singapore
S. Continent
Do.
Do,
N. Continent
20
Do.
,, Penang
S. Continent
■
Do.
„ Do.
N. Continent
20
Copra
Singapore & Penang
Marseilles
260
Do.
Do.
Odessa
Do.
h Do. Other S. Continent
680
Do.
Do.
N, Continent
280
Sago Flour
Do,
Continent
S50
Tapioca Flake
,, Singapore & Penang
Do.
100 ‘
Do. Pearl
Do.
Do.
too
Copra
Singapore
England
to
55
Gambler
Cube Gam bier
T. Flake & Pearl
Sago Flour
Gambier
Copra
Black Pepper »
White Pepper
Do.
Pineapples
Nutmegs
Black Pepper
Do.
White Pepper
T. Flake & Pearl
Nutmegs "
500 tons Gambier
500
Str,
Si
Tons
ngapore
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do. "
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Penang
Do.
Do.
Do.
(jramtner i „
Black Pepper (‘Contracts.
U. S. A.
Do.
Do.
Do.
S. Continent
Marseilles
S-. Continent
Do.
• U. S. A.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Export Telegram to Europe and America.
For Fortnight ending 28th February, 1905.
Wired at 2.30 p.m. on 1st, March, 1905.
Tin
Do.
Do.
Gambier
Do.
Do.
Do.
Cube Gambier
Black Pepper
Do.
White Pepper
Do.
Pearl Sago *
Sago flour
Do.
Do.
Tapioca Flake
T. Pearl & Bullets
Tapioca Flour
Gutta Percha
Buffalo Hides
Pineapples
Gambier
Cube Gambier
Black Pepper
Do.
White Pepper
Do.
T. Flake & Pearl
Nutmegs
Sago Flour
Str. Singapore and Penang
)t Do,
Do.
Singapore
Do.
» Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
" Penang
>> Singapore.
Penang
» Singapore
Do.
Do.
Do.
Singapore & Penang
Do. .
Penang
Singapore
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Penang
Singapore
Penang.
Singapore & Penang
Do.
Singapore
to United Kingdom &/or
V. S. A.
Continent
Glasgow
London
Liverpool
L - K. &/or Continent
United Kingdom
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
London
Liverpool
Glasgow
United Kingdom
Do.
Do.
Do!
Do.
Uo. Cases
u. S. A.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Tons.
615
767
230
250
20
30
80
190
25
220
15
• 35
10,000
310
40
175
120
10
5o
35o
4
80
56
Pineapples
Str
Singapore
U. S. A. Cases
Tons.
4.250
Do.
Do.
Continent „
500
Gambier
Do.
S. Continent
50
Do.
Do.
N. Continent
30
Cube Gambier
Do.
Continent
Black Pepper
1 ?
Do.
S. Continent
5
Do.
Do.
N. Continent
Do.
Penang
S. Continent
10
Do.
Do.
N. Continent
White Pepper
> 1
Singapore
S. Continent
Do.
Do.
N. Continent
5
Do.
>»
Penang
S., Continent
..
Do.
Do.
N. Continent
10
Copra
rt
Singapore & Penang
Marseilles
Do.
Do.
Odessa
Do.
Do.
Other South Continent
150
Do.
Do.
N. Continent
100
Sago Flour
! *
Do.
Continent
Tapioca 'Flake
> )
Singapore & Peneng
Do.
85
Do. Pearl
Do.
Do.
. $<>
Copra
) '
Singapore
England
Gambier
)l
Do.
U. S. A.
Cube Gambier
1 •
Do.
Do.
T. Flake and Pearl
Do.
Do.
Sago Flour
Do.
Do.
Gambier
Do.
S. Continent
Copra
, ,
Do.
Marseilles
Black Pepper
Do.
S. Continent
Wh'rfe Pepper
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
U. S. A.
...
Pineapples
, ,
Do.
Do.
Nutmegs
) *
Do.
Do,
Black Pepper
j ,
Do.
Do.
Do.
Penang
Du. -
White Pepper
Do.
Do.
T. Flake & Pearl
r
Do.
Do.
Nutmegs
Do.
Do.
400 tons Gambier \
450 , , Black Pepper )
Contracts
Penang.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings in the Prison Observatory for February, i 9 og
District.
Criminal Prison Observatory
Colonial Surgeon's Office.
Penang, 8th March, /goj.
Temperature.
£ ■
Q
i? -c
c o
rt «
<jj ro
C/5
c
E
a
Ins. | °F
29*90 1 i 155-9
PQ
Jx
Q
c
rt
<u
Hygrometer.
A
3
PC
+j
v
K.
CS
cj
H
o
a.
D P °F I °F °F
80*1 90*2 72*7 17*5
3 F
> 15
s 2
px H
% ! %
Ins.
75 ' 1 1 *776 70*50! 70 n. w. 3*o6
Ins.
i *75
M. E. SCR l VEX,
Assistant Surer eon
T. C. MUG LISTON,
Colonial Surgeon, Penang ...
Greatest Rainfall during 24 hours.
Perak,
Abstract of Meteorological Readings in the various Districts of the State for the month of February, ,go 5 .
District,
I aiping
Kuala Kangsar
Batu Gajah
Gopena:
Ipoh
Kampar
Teluk Anson
Tapah
Farit Buntar
Bagan Serai
Selama
Maxi-
mum in
San.
153
162
M
81-40
80*64
8 o-o 8
8o*oo
80-71
80- 36
80*40
8 ri8
81- 44
81*43
State Surgeon's Office,
Taiping, joth March, iqo
Temperature,
/lean M
Dry
Bulb.
/I axi-
mum.
92
92
94
92
9 2
89
91
93
82
9 i
90
Mini-
mum.
69
68
68
63
68
62
68
62
68
68
69
Ram-
22
23
23
28
21
23
21
26
10
23
20
Hygrometer.
Mean
f 1
Wet
Vapour
1 Humi-
Bulb.
Tension.
i dity.
;
!
76*48
846
, 78
7518
801
76 1
75-61
827
80
75-21
8 r 1
79
7 7'°5
S80
85 !
7604
813
81
75-60
82 5
79 i
76-61
856
80
7 6 ’39
843
78 ;
76-53
846 1
78
j
Total
Rainfall,
6*78
512
8*17
4-67
5 48
8*8o
9-30
895
4’ 5 7
9'\9
6*34
■ ^
.5
cti
>- bn
T 3 £
<D 3
1— t ' ' f— j
U42
1-24
215
r 54
0- 96
1- 47
2- 58
1- 64
i* 70
2 - 20
U65
OQ
M. J. WRIGHT,
State Surgeon, Perak .
-St
i3
Selangor.
abstract of Meteorological Readings in the various Districts of the State for the month of January, /poj.
District.
General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur
Pudoh Gaol Hospital
District Hospital ,,
,, Klang
Kuala Largat
Kajang
Kuala Selangor
Kuala Kubu
Serendah
,, Rawang
Beri-beri Hospital, Jeram
Sabah Bernam
State Surgeon's Office,
Kuala Lumpur, 27th February , /poj.
Temperature.
Hygrometer.
$
! S
i ^
n
: .2
4)
8 *c
rt rt
CQ
rt 0
re <N
O CD
2
Maximum in Sun.
Mean Dry Bulb.
Maximum.
Minimum.
jg
tn
£
V -
“ §
pd 1 ^
Vapour Tension
29-889
150-4 8 o ’6
89-6
710
1 8-6 764
0-833
...
869
7°*9
160
- ...
862
72-1
14-1
92 4
71-4
2 I ’O
...
i
877
74'4
I3‘3
90-0
70-7
19-3
...
...
90- 1
76-1
14-0
...
86-3
69-3 l
17-0 ...
i
...
... j ....
...
1
|
... ...
cu
is
4)
Cx
737
80
Calm.
E. A. O. TRAVERS,
State Surgeon , Selangor,
On
VO
I2 9
2'04
ro 5
2-92
261
1*68
I '22
441
6 ' 8 3
2- 13
1-27
3- 15
Muar
Abstract of Meteorological Readings for the month of February, i 9 og.
District.
Lanadron Estate
c
o
s-
re
cc
c
a
C/3
Temperature.
.-O
3
CQ
Lh
Q
G
rt
<S3 C
a
'3
£
'x
rt
90°
c
§
b£
£
69-5°
£
3
CQ
4>
£
20 ' 5 °
74‘5
Hygrometer.
<v
H
Ui
3
O
ca-
rt
>
o
Cl
<U
Q
£3
G
Dh
rt
o:
o
H
476
bo
3
rt
CtC
rt
4/
o
1*26
ON
O
Muar, yth March , /905.
ROGER PEARS.
District.
Kuala Lebir
Liang
berasa
Kuala Kelantan
The Duff Development Concession Limited, Kelantan.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings for the month of February , , 9 o 5 .
Temperature.
Rainfall.
'y,
03
r',
c
ft!
43
Mean Minin
Mean Range
Total Rainfal
Greatest Rair
24 hours.
"1
* °F
88-6
85-1
893
83-6
°F
69-1
69*0
7C ‘2
72-2
Inches.
l 9’5 4‘8i
i6-i j 7-45
, 9 -i 5-33
1 1 4 5*72
Inches.
208
2 16
I’l 7
1*67
March , ig c •
JOHN l\ GIMLETTK.
62
V
METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.
Table Showing the Daily Results of the Reading of Meteorological Observations taken
at the G-eneral Hospital, Seremban, For the Month of January, 1905 .
1
1
Lemperatiire of radiation.
Temperature of
radiation.
Wind.
Temperature
i of evaporation.
Computed
vapour tension.
Relative
humidity.
*
Clouds 0 to 10
Cloud
and weather
initials.
Rain.
f
|
a;
' Direction.
| .
1
l
| ■
Date.
0 U
—
1
I
t '
9
15
|
;
£
9 -
I
• 6 '-d
, C d
9
15
9
! i 5
i 9
! 15
9
[ 5
9
15
1 21
9
15
21
t
H
H
I ®
d
e
1 -s>
. V-
Ite d
H
H
id
1 H
C
ct 3
<U
H
H
cS
H
H
d
H
H
! H
H
H
H
O
i
!
i S
j ttj
:q
j 0
Q
s
S
is
-
i ~
I °
‘ O .
1 Q
!
! °
O
j
! 0
.
0
0
0
0
! . 0 .
in.
in.
1
i
79
!
82
I ®7
74
13
125
i 3s
[ 70
4
I E.
E.
68-9
7 r8
7°'3
0*707
0781
o *744
7 1
, 64
67*5
2
2
I 2
B
B
; B
j
2
1 78
8r
79*5
82
73
9
100
18
1 70
3
E.
| E-.
A -2
74 ‘ 2
727
765
, ' 8 49
■807
79
| 80
79*5
3
5
5
C
C
j c
23
3
79
79
79
Si
7 1
14
1 25
40
! 69
2
1 E;
S.E.
S!P *3
I 7 2 '3
723
793
I *793
793
80
80
80
2
10
5
B
R
i c
■is
4
79
80
79‘5
86
7 2
14
140
54
j 6 q
3
f N.E.
i X * E -
7 p '3
1 75
73 'S
793
i '867
■825
80
| S 5
82*5
3
2
2
C
B
i B
'49
5
80
82
81
83
7 l
, 12
124
4 i
; 69
2
E
j
! E.
69-9
1
70*9
73 2
*785
75 S
! 7 2
71s
2
0
0
B
B
: B
6
79
86
825
87
7 2
15 ,
140
53
1 70
2
! e-
N.E.
689
1 67-2
68
707
'6S1
■694
7 1
i 55
63
0
0
0
B
B
B
7
75
§5
80
8 7
7 2
15 ;
135
4 S
! 70
2
i N.E.
i E, •
647
68-5
666
■612
| 698
655
70
! 5 s
64
0
0
0
B
B
j B
8
76
84
80
1 89
67
22 i
1 48
59
66
;
S.E.
,E.
79 ‘9
, 73-4
71*6
756
'794
'775
84
; eg
76
0
3
2
B
C
B
9
78
S 3
80-5
i 87
7 °
17
118
3 i
68
i 2
S.E.
E. .
7
2*9
j 747
73 ‘S
*810
.856
■S 33
84
| 76
80
0
3
2
B
B
'39
to
76
84 ;
80
: 87
7 1
16 j
155
; 68
! 68
3
E,'
S.E. i
ip 7
! 74
72*4
756
•840
798
84
! 72
'78
2
3
5
B
C
C
10 .
it
78
85
81*5
85
7 2
13 ;
135
1 50
69
3
E.
E.
73*9
73‘4
73 ' 1
■810
■826
*818
84
68
76
2
5
to
B
C
R
2 ‘35
12
76
82 1
79
i s s
7 2
II
127
44
69
3
N.E.
| N.E.
7^*6
73-6
73 ‘i
*801
.830
•S15
89
76
82*5
2
5
10
B
C
R
U32
*3
80
83 ,
S3 .
I 88 ,
7 l
17
•'55
i 67
68
3
E.
E.
73 ’3
72 *S
73
*820
1 *8 08
•814
So
64
72
3
2
5
C
B
C
14
75
83
79
j 86
7 1
15 i
i 5 °
64
68
3
N.E.
N. K.
7
b
697
70-4
'765
j ' 7 2 4
744
79
64
7 1 '5
0
0
0
B
B
B
US
80
87 1
S 3-5
' 88 ,
7 1
. 174 |
148
60
68
3
E.
E*
6
T9
70*6
7 o -4
733
749
•740
71
58
64' 5
0
0
0
B
B
B
16
77
85
81
86
69
17
122
3 6
66
3 1
E.
E.
W 9
70*1
71 !
7S3
73S
‘760
84
6 j j
7 2 '5
0
0
0
B
B
B
*7
82
87
84 ‘5
88
68
20
160
7 2
66
2 !
E.
E.
68-6
70*6
69*6 1
•701
749
*725
64
58
61
0
0 .
0
3
B
B
79
89
84
S 9 |
67
22
164
75
65
2 j
E.
E.
70*6
7 ri
7o‘S ^
744
757
*753
76
55
65
0
O
b
B
B
B
■
19
78
89
82
90 1
7 ° i
20 j
158
74
67
3 j
E.
S.E.
7
1*2
72.7
7 r 9
■765
*8oi
7 8 3.
79
5« j
68*5
0
O
0
B
B
B
20
79
87
«3
58
7 2
16
* 5 °
70
68
4 ■
S.E.
S.E.
7 f 3
78*8
75*5 '
*793
'9S5
‘889 ]
80
77 j
78’5
0
O
2
B
B
B
1*30
21
77 !
82
79 "5
88
7 2
l6
140
62
68
4 '
S.E.
S.E.
75*3
77
76*1
■S77
•926
■901 i
94
As 1
89*5
2
10 1
2
B
R
B
‘So ■
22 t
80
86
83
88
7 2
l6
150
,62 ]
68
4 !
S.E.
S.E.
75 ’
74*2
74 6
-S67
■SS 5 |
■861 |
85
68 c j
76-5
0
3 !
5
B
C
c
23
79 j
-85
8S
89
7 1
l8
130
61
67
4 j
S.E.
S.E.
7 j ?'9 j
75 j
■ 74 ‘4
•S 39
S73 !
■856 |
S 5
7 2 !
78*5
3
3 !
5
C
C
C
'23
24
80
78
79
8 8
7 1
<7
130
42
67
4
S.E. 1
S.E.
71
■3
74*6 j
73*9 |
*820
'§57
*838 f
80 I
89 1
S 4'5
0
10
5
B
R
C
79
25
78
82
80
S 5
72 j
13
i 57
45 1
68
4 1
E. .
S.E.
72
9
72
72-4 !
*Sio J
785
797 |
84 !
72
78 !
0
3
0
B
C
B
26
77
84
89-5 1
87
73
15 !
159
70
■68
4 i
S.E. j
S.E.
75
■3
74
74 -<5 :
■877
*840
■S58 ;
94
7 2
83
0 |
3
2
B
C
B
27
78 1
81
79’5 |
8S'
7 1
17
151
7 1
67
4 1
' E. 1
N.E.
74
■6
76*2 :
754
•S57
S 9 7
■877
89
85
87
2 1
10
10
B
R
R
I'oS
28
75
85
80
88
7 2
16
I5 6
63
68
4
E. .
N.E. .
73
■3
73’4
73 '3
■820
*826
■S23
94
68
81
o
2
0
B
B
B
*
29
76 1
81
785
87
7 1
16 1
156
69
68
3
E.
N.E.
72
•6
7 2 ‘4
7 2 ‘5
*8o [
*794
797
89
68
78*5
o
0
0
B
B
B
30
80
83
8U5
S 9
7 2 j
17 j
r 55
66
65
7
S.E.
s.
737
697
71*5 >
•820
■724
772
80
64
7 Z
2
10
10
B
R
R
31
79
87
■S3
89
7i
18
159
70
68
3
S.E. i
s. ;
77
3
73'9 ;
75*6 |
‘937 1
*337
-'857
95 i
05
80 |
O
10 |
!
3
B
R
C
7 ?
Total 9 <58
State Surgeon's Office, W. L. BRADDON,
Seremban , ijth February , fpoy. State Surgeon .
AGRICULTURAL BULLETIN
* OF THE
STRAITS
AND
FEDERATED MALAY STATES,
No. 3 *J * MARCH, 1905. [Vol. IV.
KUMUS (SHOREA CILIA TA).
The timber of the tree commonly known to the Malays as
Kumus has been known for many years as a valuable wood, but
for a long time I was unable to identify it as I could never
procure specimens of the leaves, flowers, and fruits by which it could
be settled as to what the tree really was. Mr. MOORHOUSE, how-
ever, recently sent me specimens of the wood, leaves, and fruit, to-
gether with notes concerning the tree which proves -to be JDiptero-
earpous, viz., Skorea ciliata, King, Mr, MOORHOUSE writes of it
as follows : —
“A large tree with small buttresses about 6 feet high, bark red-
dish brown, slightly flaky, quarter of an inch thick, average girth of
ten selected trees, 22 feet. This is not an uncommon size for mature
trees. Height to first branch of tree 80 feet, height of whole tree
150 to 180 feet. The tree exudes a yellowish white damar which is
argely colleciec^ rnd mixed with Penak damar, but is very inferior.
at fort y dollars a ton. The tree has no sapwood, the
timber being hard all through. It has been*largely used this year
tor railway sleeper^ on the Seremban to Singapore Railway and is
most probably used as Chengai or Reilak in other States. Malays
say it is as good as Penak for houses and they only use Penak in
pre erence, because Penak turns a deep red brown with time and
exposure; whereas Kumus turns greyish white and is not so hand-
some. It is an excellent timber and very plentiful in Kwala Pilah
lstrict, Negri Sembilan, Miarcoal burners have exterminated it
in Seremban, but this business has now been stopped. It makes a
first class charcoal, ”
1 1 he specimen of wood sent by Mr. MOORHOUSE is of a light
reddish brown colour, fairly heavy, fibres slightly sinuous, the vessets
in section conspicuous, and silvery inside with the dammar exuda-
tion; rings very irregular in distance and not very conspicuous;
medullary rays very fine and close, Vessels in transverse section
crowded and numerous; pores small in short rows or solitary, irregu-
larly arranged ; weight of a cubic foot, 68 lbs., wood very hard.
/fa A section of a young tiee, 6 inches through, sent many years ago
6 4
by Mr. J. S. GOODENOUGH, from Selangor, under the name of
Kumus bears a close resemblance to that sent by Mr. MOORHOUSE
and is undoubtedly the same tree. There is a band of sapwood
round it little more than inch thick and the centre about | inch
is softer and pithier wood. The rest of the specimen is stronghard
dense timber. The rings are rather more conspicuous, about 19 in
number, and rather more regular. This tree was probably about 20
years old, to judge by the rings. It would square to four inches.
The timber of this tree may well be reckoned as among the first
class timbers of the Peninsula. It seems for its class to be of rapid
growth, and is good all through. It closely resembles a timber
known now in Singapore as Poonah, which is much*in request.
The plant appears to be identical with the Shorea ciliata , King.
The twigs in Mr. MoORHOUSE's specimen are slender and black
when dry; leaves young ovate with a distinct blunt point, 2 to 4
inches long, f-i^ inch wide, coriaceous pale above when dry, with
about 14 pairs of nerves very inconspicuous above, beneath more
conspicuous, and the whole of the underside of the leaf covered with
a thin white scurf easily rubbed off, which makes the leaf beneath
appear whitish petiole slender, little over J an Inch long. Older
leaves seem to be narrower, lanceolate, acuminate, the nerves more
conspicuous, and the while scurf absent; panicles short, 1 to
inch long, peduncles and especially the upper branches of the
panicle flexuous, covered with a white scurfy wool; flowers short-
ly phdicelled, \ inch long, narrow oblong, from a broader base,
pubescent, ^ inch long; “ Stamens -30 in fascicles of 3 unequal, the
connective produced into an apical process crowned with 3 to 5
cilia.” Calyx lobes in fruit, three long narrow blunt, covered with
stillate pubescence, two short.
This plant was first collected by Mr. Curtis in Penang, No.
1578 of his collection, and though Mr. Moorhouse's specimens
differ in some respects, I have little doubt as to the correctness of
the identification. There are no flowers on the'latter. The Penang
specimens in flow'er and fruit have very distinctly reticulate nerved
leaves ; those of the Seremban specimens have not, but where by in-
jury the leaves have lost the epidermis the reticulations are very
conspicuous, and are traceable too in the old leaves.
The foliage of Shoreas varies very much at different times of the
year, and at different ages and different forms or states of the leaves
properly correlated with those of adult trees, have not yet been
collected; many such indeed, as Shorea ciliata , have been collected
but once. Flowers and fruit are seldom to be met with/and often
the trees are inaccessible on account of their great size, so that the
study of these most important timber trees is very difficult. — Editor.
FIBRES. — Continued.
Coco-nut Fibre. — Coir. — This is the fibre of the husk of the coco-
nut beaten out. Although there are extensive coco-nut estates all
over the Peninsula and an abundance of husks, there is hardly any
65
coir made in the Peninsula. In Singapore, I have found in one
place some Chinese who roughly beat out the husks, and twisted
(he fibre by hand into very coarse weak rope,- which was sold very
cheaply for tying up parcels.
In India and Ceylon the coir is extensively prepared arid is
always in deanand for cordage, cables, mats, brushes, etc. The
husk is removed from the nut with an iron spike stuck in the ground
and the husks are thrown into salt-water tanks for from 6 to 18
months. If fresh water is used it becomes foul and the fibre is
discoloured. The tanks are sometimes warmed by steam and this
shortens the operation and softens and improves the fibre. When
thoroughly soaked the husks "are beaten with mallets and rubbed
between the bands to get rid of the cellular substance between the
fibres. In Ceylon it is said that 40 coco-nuts will produce 6 lbs. of
coir; in the Laccadives it is said that 3 large nuts will produce 1 lb.
coir measuring 22 fathoms, and 10 small nuts go to about 1 lb., but
this will measure 35 fathoms of yarn. A good deal of the value of
the coir seerris to depend on the age of the fruit as it becomes hard
and woody when the fruit is quite ripe. It is therefore cut in the
10th month, if for coir. If cut before it is too weak and if later be-
comes coarse and hard.
This is perhaps the reason why our local coir is said to be useless.
The nuts grown chiefly for copra are allowed to become qiiite ripe,
by which time probably the fibre is so hard and coarse that it is
difficult to work it. But an enormous number of nuts here are used
young for food. In fact, it often pays the planter better to ship
them to India and elsewhere for food than to use them for making
copra. The husks of these nuts would well be worth the attention
of those interested in fibres, who could easily start a coir factory
in Singapore.
Beside the Clsnese rope above alluded to the only other manu-
factory of rope or mats I know of is that of the Gaols where the
prisoners are employed in the work.
The cost of the husks in Singapore ; s about 50 cents a hundred.
With the large number of wasted husks in this country, it is pos'd,
ble that some business might be done in coir-making.
Arenga, sacckarifera , Kabong fibre, Tali Hijau, Vegetable horse-
hair : —
The fibre of this palm is well known in the Malay "Peninsula and
Islands, but is very little known in the home markets as it has been
seldom offered for sale and not in sufficient quantities. The palm
is common in cultivated ground all over the Peninsula and a wild
form grows in Province Wellesley. It is valued for its fibre and
also for its sugar, the well known Gala Malacca, used either in the
form of molasses or as a kind of Candy.
The fibre is produced from the base of. the leaf sheaths, and en-
wraps the trunk of the tree, its function apparently being to prevent
the rain-water entering below the sheaths, and injuring the tree. It
is simply pulled off the tree and rolled into bundles, after which it is
66
sorted into sizes, the fibres being very mixed in size, from stiff thick
brittle masses into the finest possible thread. The sorting and
arranging of these fibres and combing out any dirt there may be
among them is all the work necessary in preparing the fibre. Many
years ago, Mr. BulkeLEY, visiting Singapore, was much struck by
this fibre as useful for brushes especially for boiler brushes, as the
fibre is not affected by hot water, and an attempt was made to pro-
cure a quantity for him, but the business was stopped in its inception
owing to the want of a middleman to attend to the necessary work
of sorting, baling, and shipping [See Bulletin, 1903, p. 403). With
the rising interest in fibres of all sorts, however, we may hope that
this fibre may eventually form an article of export to the home
markets.
The palm is easily grown from seed and in good soil attains a
great size in a few years. It lasts for about 20 or 30 years, when it
commences to flower from the top downwards, emitting at every
joint a large hanging bunch of male and female flowers alternately.
The fruit, dull yellow, as big as a small apple, contains three seeds,
and are produced in great abundance ; when the flowering has nearly
reached the base of the tree it dies completely.
In many parts of the Peninsula it grows spontaneously, coming up
all over* the campongs, and as the plant requires no care it is very
common in all the villages.
The fibre, which is quite black, is very strong and durable, and
suited for cordage, cables and such work, as it resists sea water very
well. There is a piece of a cable in the Sandakan Museum which
was found attached to an antique anchor supposed to have belonged
to a ship of one of the early explorers of that part of Borneo. The
cable seems to be in a complete state of preservation and though
now brittle it still retains its form and colour,, The Malays make
cords for tethering buffaloes, and ornamental work with this fibre,
and quite a thin cord will hold the most lively byffalo without break-
ing.
Royle states that a coarse line of this fibre stood a breaking
strain of 85 pounds, wljen a similar line of coir broke at 75 pounds
and that a ship’s anchor in the Hooghly was raised by a cable of
this fibre when three Russian cables had broken in the attempt to
raise it. The fibre is light and floats on water and is as elastic as
that of coir. The chief objection to its general use seems to be its
black colour, but in these days when good fibres of all kinds are in
request so useful a fibre would not be likely lO be rejected as use-
less from its colour.
The thicker fibres are well adapted for brushes, and would per-
haps take the place of Kitul and Piassava to a large extent, and
probably would be cheaper than either. Rope and other articles
made of this fibre are always exhibited at the local agricultural
shows, and it is really the best known fibre in the Peninsula. There
seems therefore no reason why it should not come into use in Europe.
^7
Curculigo Fibre. — The common jungle plants Curculigo recur-
vata and C. lati folia and villas a known to the Malays as Lumbah,
produce from their leaves a strong fibre used by the Dyaks for cloth
and fishipg nets. The plant is generally to be found in shady
places, and is known by its tufts of large flaccid lanceolate leaves,
plicate and dark green, usually more or less pubescent beneath.
The flowers are yellow, borne in a tuft at the base of the leaves,
sessile in C. latifolia and villosa and borne on a longer or shorter
peduncle in C. recurvata. The latter species is the biggest and its
leaves are four feet and a half long (exclusive of the stalk which may
be two feet long), and eight inches across the middle. The
leaves steeped in water took fourteen days to soak before the soft
parts of the leaves could be washed away, after which it could
easily be rubbed off by hand. The leaves seem too flaccid to work
by machinery. Lumbah fibre has never come into the market so far
as I know. . It is, in fact, rather troublesome to make, as owing to
the flaccidity of its leaves it cannot be worked by any of the
ordinary machines, and is always extracted by hand. The leaves
are first soaked in water and then beaten to get rid of the cellular
substance between the 6 bres.
I planted some years ago a bed of C. recurvata , in full sun in good
soil in order to see whether the plant would grow and giye good
returns under that treatment, but the plant did not seem to like full
exposure to the sun. It grew steadily, but the leaves were short,
and not veiy abundant. Should a reasonable price be obtained for
this fibre, it might be worth while getting it collected by natives,
and also planting.it in dense shade, or perhaps better along the jun-
gle edges, where it seems to grow very fine and strong. It requires
no care under these circumstances and can look after itself very
well. > 3
. Experiments are being made with it at the Botanic Gardens, both
in retting the leaves in water and also by splitting the leaves up and
^ S ? aS t0 ^ orm P er haps a substitute for Raphia bast for
which the demand at present is muchprv excess of the supply.
? 1£ lu 0p -r? 0 i SE ’ , wh ° hnows the plant well in Sarawak, tells me
that the Dyaks there use the fibre in a very curious way. It is
water-proof, and the cloth-weavers twist the Lumbah fibre round
the threads of the cloth they do not wish to be dyed by any given
colour, and after the cloth lias been dipped in, say, red dye, they take
it out and remove the Lumbah fibre so that the hitherto uncoloured
threads may be dyed in blue or other colour, by dipping the cloth
again in the latter dye* _• r s
Other tribes weave the fibre into cloth. I am not certain which
species the Dyaks use in this way, but it is probably C. recurvata .
TILE POTS FOR CASUARXNA SEEDLINGS.
In Mr. Hudson’s article on Casuarina cultivation he describes
Uie tile pots he used, and now writes a suggestion which may be
68
useful for not only these seedlings but those of many other plants.
He applied to a Chinese towkay brickmaker to make the tilee as des-
cribed and the Chinaman suggested, (< Why not buy cheap tin rain-
water piping of the required circumference, 6 inches, and get any
tinsmith to cut the pipes across to any length required for a ’pot (12
inches) and then split them into equal halves, or tin guttering may
be used if obtainable. ” Being in the nursery daily watering must
be done and having the lower end open and resting on potsheds the
imperviousness of the sidewalls of tin will not affect the plant by
want of evaporation and causing water logging.
As explained in the previous paper the tilepots are buried in beds
so that the question of the sun’s rays scorching the roots, tin being a
ready conductor of heat, does not come in. The idea appealed to
me immensely as it reduces the cost in breakage, compared with
tiles and tin piping is cheap especially if bought in quantity.
The idea certainly seems a good one, and would certainly be
qheaper in the long run than tiles.
Speaking of the germination of Casuarina seed, Mr. HUDSON
writes, “l put in Casuarina seed on the I2th of this month and be-
hold, in 5 days they had sprouted.” — Editor.
RUBBER PESTS.
A planter sends a number of leaves of seedling rubbers badly
attacked with the fungus described in Bulletin III, 8 p. 308. It
has attacked a whole nursery of seedlings, and has pretty nearly
destroyed the plants. I find also this year a number of plants I had
planted out too early badly infesled. In cases of nursery infection
it seems desirable as soon as the disease is seen, '•'to remove all in-
fected plants and especially fallen leaves. If only one or two leaves
on a plant are attacked these could be pulled ©ff aTnd burnt, (Para
rubber stands the loss of its leaves very well), and then disinfecting
with Bordeaux mixture, the plants and nursery beds should get rid of
the pest. Plants in too damp a spot, or sickly ones which have been
injured seem to suffer most. All 1 can see in the spot where my
seedlings are worst attacked are small plants not more than 6-12
inches tall. Bigger plants have fine clean leaves, but these may have
survived an attack when young or not been attacked at all and so
made good growth.
Mr. Little, who has a rubber plantation in Singapore, 4 brought a
large number of that abominable animal, the Coffee locust, Cyrtan-
thacris varia, which had apparently been chewing the tips of his
Para rubber leaves much to their detriment. This large yellow and
green locust with its bright pink hind wings has been described in
Bulletin.
It does not seem very particular as to what it eats, any leaves
soft enough will do for it, and it soon makes rags of Canna and
Dracaena leaves-. Fortunately it is easy to catch ; children can catch
them by hand or knock them down with sticks. The young lotusts
usually live in grass and scrub and if these animals appear on the
estate any of this should be cut down in the neighbourhood. Quite
a small patch of long grass and weeds will form a home for a num-
ber of these locusts.
Some seedlings I planted out experimentally quite young in a
grassy wet spot suffered from a complexity of pests. Beside the fun-
gus alluded to I found in the evening some small brown slugs about
an inch long very slimy and active which nibbled off the shoots, and
one of the common bag-worms, a caterpillar living in a grey silk
conical case, was attacking the leaves ; small grasshoppers too
were attacking the leaves. Many leaf-eating insects, when their
special food runs short, will attack any plant that happens to be
near, and do more or less harm. It is, therefore, not advisable to
plant out seedlings in uncleared ground too young. Stumps or
plants about 6 feet tall seem to escape all these kinds of vermin, the
leaves being too high for them to find. — Editor.
FRIGE OF RUBBER STILL RISING.
A note in the Ceylon Weekly Times records a rise in price of rub-
ber in Ceylon from general estates to 6/4I-, fine Para .at the time
fetching 5/4^. Similar prices have been obtained in the Malay
Peninsula and we hear of one estate which has beaten the Ceylon
records at 6/6. High prices are expected to continue for some
time. Meanwhile a good many estates ip the Peninsula are pro-
fiting by the demand and, we understand, are making a good haul,
which will go a long way to counteract losses in bygone years on
Coffee and the like. *
THE PRICE OF RUBBER,
A Rise.
The notification issued on December 4th by India-rubber manu-
facturers of another 10 per cent rise in mechanical goods has doubt-
less come as unwelcome intelligence to those primarily affected by
it. Yet there wall be few, says the Engineer, who will dispute its
justification in the light of the continued rise in price of the raw
material. Para rubber has recently touched figures hitherto without
parallel, and the ingenuity of the manufacturers has been taxed to
the utmost to cope with the altered situation. The difficulties* that
have been met with are reflected in the report of the big Silvertown
Company, which, with an increase of sales, shows a considerable
falling off in profits. Buyers of rubber goods may feel assured that
the recent advance in price was determined upon as a matter of
stern necessity, and is in no way the outcome of any desire on the
?o
part of the manufacturers to take advantage of the altered situation
in order to enhance their profits.
- It is understood that the members of the Rubber Manufacturers’
Association were unanimous with regard to the rise, and that only
two of the firms who are not actually members of the Association
have declined to fall into line with the majority. Standing aloof in
a case of this sort implies the possession of a large stock of raw
rubber bought at lower prices than now prevail, or else it indicates
a desjre to take advantage of the situation in order to make an in-
creased connection without taking much thought as to the profit and
loss account. Of course, this is a matter entirely for individual
firms concerned : and if they think they know their own business
best, others have no legitimate ground for cavilling.
Cotton enters largely into mechanical rubber goods such as hose,
beltings, packings, etc.; and at the time of the last advance in prices
this material was put forward vfith rubber as a partial cause of the
advance; at the present time, however, rubber alone, will have to
bear the brunt, as the revival in the Lancashire cotton trade pres-
ages considerably easier prices for the textile materials so largely
used in the mechanical rubber trade.
No doubt, in spite of our contention that the rise of price in rub-
ber goods is amply justified, there will be many who will grumble
at it. To these we would put the straight question. What is the
alternative? Seeing that the trade is not carried on from Bentha-
mite motives, and that, therefore, working at a loss is out of the
question, a continuance of old prices means the reduction of quality.
I here is nothing else for it. Now, this way of getting out of the
difficulty has been tried often enough in the past, and has to a large
extent brought discredit upon a reputable industry. We believe it
is now being generally recognised by engineers that good rubber is
the cheapest in the long run, and since the more general employ-
ment of chemical analysis by purchasers, it has become less common
for the cheap compounds of the unscrupulous manufacturer to find
a sale than it was, say, ten years ago, We are not, of course, sug-
gesting that goods should be made of pure rubber, nor are we con-
demning the use of mineral matters erroneously described by some
writers as adulterants. For many purposes a pure rubber without
mineral admixture would be not only a waste of money but actually
disadvantageous. Our criticism is directed against those who, in-
stead of using new, sound rubber, in however small a proportion,
replace it by old or “recovered” rubber or oil substitutes. These
bodies are not to be generally condemned, for they have them legiti-
mate uses. We are not, however, considering these now, our point
being to emphasise that they' can not take the place of new, sound
rubber without considerably lowering the value of the goods. With
the present rise in price, therefore, purchasers although they may
naturally indulge in a little grumbling, may feel assured that the
quality of the goods they buy will remain equal to what it has been
in the past, which would be practically impossible if prices remained
at the old level.
(I<8
V
The Reason Why.
With regard to the cause of the rise in raw rubber, there is no
good reason to suppose that it is assignable to anything but the
ordinary’ law of demand and supply. It has certainly been broadly
hinted that rubber brokers, and one large house in particular, have
manipulated the. market for their personal advantage; bpt really
statements to this effect do not show any substantial foundation.
Jr course, the brokers are alive to the situation, and have not o-one
out of their way to make crooked paths straight for the manufacturer,
i is, however, is not the same thing as saying that rubber has
practically been cornered. We prefer to believe that the increased
demand for motor tyres, heel pads, and other uses which come pro-
mmently before the eye, as also the demand for rubber in modern
shipbuilding which is little known to the public, are jointly the rea-
son for the advance Unfortunately, although there is no scarcity
of rubber in South America, its production, though on an increasing
scale has not kept pace with the growing demand from Great Bri-
tarn Amenca Germany, France, Russia and Italy, to say nothing
ot other countries, such as Norway and Sweden, which have of late
” anu ^ cturers - Tbe difficulty with regard to increas-
ing the output from the Amazon basin is the comparative scarcity of
acclimatised labour, and that the regular rubber gatherers are often
seduced from their occupation by the offer of better terms on the
defdf p aa tations. There are probably few vocations of a more
deadly nature than that of rubber gathering in the Brazilian swamps
and even in the case of the acclimatised, seringueros, the merchants
who provide the outfit and expenses of the. binds of gatherers have
t ° unt oa a h 'gh death-rate, and consequent loss of capital. So far
State ' a”thorit“s P h th ® sIave - d "ving methods followed by the Congo
cerneri lSr h “ ’f™ ? adc> S reatl y to the credit of all cofl-
cerned ®- ubber may have become a necessity, but is not so indis
pensable that he c.viiised nations who use it elk regard lith uncon-
M™ rtf em P lo y nlent of methods of barbarism in its collection
More than one effort has been made in the past by Europeans to
have resulted °fr ing ° f Amaz .°" ian forests ' but thl failures which
esulted, from causes which we cannot stop to specify, has led
, J* f f^ ra f / eC u ° gn ! tl01 J of the fact that the resources of Brazil are
est left m the hands of Brazilians. With regard to other countries
hraT * An ^ erica there is no doubt that Peru will contribute more
largely than is at present the case if certain developments necessita
ting capital come to fruition. From Africa the suppTy has fluctuated
tradlna^n ’ the ph t nt?menal nSe m the ex P orts from the Belgian
trading companies being to some extent counterbalanced by the
ecreased amounts yielded by some of the West Coast disfrirK
owmg to the destructive methods of collection formerly pmct d by
the natives. With respect to the supply of rubber from plantations
although the amount has thus far not had any appreciable effect
m a J e V f eat P r °gfess in what is a new and important branch of
economtc botany has to be recorded. Especially is this the case
with the Para rubber tree, which has been successfully acclimatised
72
in Ceylon and the Straits Settlements, and which, no doubt, will find
its way into West Africa. It is not so many years ago that the re-
sults already obtained were held to be impossible of achievement,
but the cries of the pessimists have been falsilied in the event.
♦
Comparison of Values.
There are yet one or two technical points as to the comparative
value of the rubber produced in Brazil and Ceylon to be settled, but,
in this general survey we did not stop to inquire into them. Suffice
it to say that fine Para rubber is now being grown in Ceylon',* and
finds a ready market at prices quite equal to what is ruling for the
forest product. Although such forestry operations are of necessity
stow in their growth, and the capital expenditure unremunerative
for a number of years, it may be taken that plantation rubber is
now an accomplished fact, and that from this source in many parts
of the world the supply of natural rubber will be augmented to an
increasing extent in the future. The rubber manufacturers say that
in order to ensure them busy and progressive times, Para rubber
should be in the neighbourhood of 3s. per lb.; quite recently it has
touched 5-s\ 5^., and it must be confessed that the price which would
be welcomed by manufacturers and customers alike seems, at the
present time, very remote, and the user of rubber goods must per-
force accept the situation with what degree of equanimity he can
command. Perhaps the chief element which tends to threaten his
quiescence of mind is a suspicion that, although rubber manufac-
turers are apt to act promptly in raising prices when necessity com-
pels, they exhibit a somewhat sluggish movement with regard to a
reduction when the price of the raw material falls. Now, with res-
pect to the prices of the various qualities of rubber on the market,
the ordinary man cannot be expected ta be informed, but as all
other rubbers follow the price of Para more or less' closely and as
Para is quoted in the market reports of most of the daily papers,
there is nothing to prevent the engineer who is* a buyer of rubber
goods from forming his own- opinion, to some extent at least, as to
when the time has arrived for the removal of the import. Of course,
he can keep on at old prices now if he wants to, but, as we have
already indicated, we think this would be a wrong policy, as he
would assuredly get an inferior article, although the reduction
might not be apparent to the senses.
( Extract from the “ Straits Times of the 17 th February , 190$.)
PAHA BEATEN BY CEYLON.
Victoire acquise aux anglais ! Thus commences an article by
Mr. ClBOT in the Journal d’ Agriculture Tropicale. Mr. Paul
Cibot who has travelled to Venezuela to study Para rubber has
also been lately in the Malay Peninsula where he expressed his
7 3
surprise at the marvellous growth of the trees of Para rubber which
he had seen in Singapore, Province Wellesley and the Malay
States. In the paper above cited he writes, tc In No. 23 of the Jour-
nal d’ Agriculture Tropicale, I remarked the more or less nearly
approaching exhaustion of the rubber forests of the Amazons.
In twenty years, ten perhaps, the forests having been all dis-
covered and exploited, one must foresee a diminution in the return
of this region which can only keep up its amount of export by means
of the discovery of new virgin forests and then there will eorqmence
an era of grand profit for the plantations that are now being made. ”
Now there is another factor which it seems must threaten the
Amazon’s product, with a much nearer falling off. It is the very
low cost oh export of the Asiatic rubber.
In 1903 Ceylon exported 30,000 Kilograms of rubber which
fetched a distinctly higher price, than fine smoked Para. One
might believe that this price is only exceptional and due to the
manufacturers being anxious to try this new class of rubber, having
given a favourable price for it. Doubtless this is so to a certain
extent but when one considers that this rubber dried before export
loses very little weight in the store that it is produced in the form of
thin translucent biscuits showing the purity of the product which
requires a much shorter manipulation. If we consider all these real
advantages, we see that the increased value of the rubber of culti-
vated Hevea is quite justified. But the important point is that the
cost of the shipping of Ceylon rubber to Liverpool is not more than
2 francs the Kilo., whilst that from Amazonas even if it was exported
by^the producer in the same condition would cost at least 5 francs
a Kilo. The difference between these two costs is so great that
it leaves a margin almost sufficient for any errors of over valuation
in the calculations for the Ceylon rubber.
We can thus foresee the day when the plantations in Asia will
put on the market thousands of tons of a rubber prepared in the
most careful manner at a much lower price than that of Amazonas
even if the Brazilian Government lowers considerably the export
duty on rubber. This, however, is one of its principle sources of
revenue. This time is not yet very near as the uses of rubber are
being continually increased, and the Asiatic plantations are not big
enough yet to produce many thousand tons of rubber. The area
planted with rubber, chiefly Hevea, in Ceylon is estimated at more
than 4,0uo hectares (10,000 acres) planted exclusively with rubber
trees and 10,600 o.. wmcn rubber trees are used as shade
trees or along edges of roads, ditches, etc., in tea and cocoa planta-
t , I£ . admit y U !? first ca f there are ;fn average of 500 trees to
the hectare and in the second 125 to the hectare we shall get a total
of 3>35°>O0O rubber trees. If we allow according to English writers
that twice as much is planted in the Malay Peninsula and neighbour-
ing islands we shall have 6,700,000 rubber trees, altogether ten
million trees planted up to date. ' - s
o
74
It is right to add that the plantations in Malaysia are partly of
Ficus elastica, the rubber of which will not command as high a price
as that of the Hevea. All these plantations having been only made
within the last two or three years, it will be not before five years
that Asia can put enough rubber on the market, say 5,000 tons to
influence it.
Till then and for some years after the Asiatic producers will
benefit by the very high prices which will allow them to recover
their capital to a large extent, to increase their plantations and to
perfect the manufacture whilst Amazonas which cannot employ the
same methods will see the era of prosperity for the last 20 years
disappear or at least decrease. Reading the Brazilian journals it
does not appear that in that country, chiefly interested in rubber, any
one has a notion of the great danger which Brazil and the other
countries of the basin of the Amazon only escape by a general im-
provement of their economic civilization and by doing what the
English are doing, that is to say, organizing plantations ,of Hevea , in
moct suitable localities instead of merely exploiting the natural
forests situated thousands of miles away in the interior.
P. CIBOT,
( Tran si.)
THE CANKER OF PARA RUBBER.
In one of the circulars of the Botanic Gardens of Ceylon, Mr.
CARRUTHERS gives an account of the canker in the trees in Ceylon.
The fungus causing the disease is a species of Nectria. In its at-
tack it does not appear to be very clearly conspicuous from the
outside. The external colour of the bark is in many * cases different
from that of the healthy parts, as a rule a little darker, and the bark
surface is different in appearance. As the bark dies it is attacked by
boring insects which tunnel. into even living parts and cause an
exudation of latex. This is no: however a certain sign of the pre-
sence of canker as it happens in any case of death of wood or bark
from whatever cause. The tissue below the bark, however, is very
differently colored, of a dirty yellow or neutral tint and when the
fungus has got compjete hold it is claret colored like the skin of a
mangosteen. Wherever the canker occurs, latex disappears. The
stem and branches are equally liable to attack, but roots and
twigs are unaffected.
The life history of the fungus is like that of all fungi of the kind.
The mycelian permeates the cells for some time destroying them,
and at a certain time produces spores of two kinds, the first goui-
diospores are whitish grey in mass and look like thick white mould,
Later at the same spot are produced the perfect fruits which resemble
grains of red pepper, sometimes forming a mass as big as a ten cent
piece. These produce spores which are readily disposed by wind
or perhaps carried about by insects. When the spores find a suitable
75
spot they push out the mycelium tubes into the bark and so the
disease commences.
Occasionally trees cure themselves, but this must not be relied on.
The fungus dies and the growth of the tissues round the cankered
spot serves to drive out the dead piece. A considerable proportion of
the fruits of the Para rubber tree having been found to have fallen
unripe, they were examined and were found in some cases at least to
be infected with the canker, but whether they were attacked while
on the tree or after falling seems doubtful. In any case fallen black
fruits should be destroyed when found.
To cur e the tree it is necessary to cut out all the diseased part of
the bark down to the wood, if the disease has spread as far. A
margin of not less than 2 inches should be cut round the discolored
area so as to be sure of getting out all the mycelium. Dying
branches high up in the tree should be suspected and cut well back •
and all dead or diseased pieces destroyed by fire as near as possible
as it is dangerous to carry them about the plantation, for fear that
any spores on them might be drifted into the trees as they are bcrne
This is only a short precis of the paper which is a very import-
ant one for planters of rubber. The disease is one which as yet is
not common at least in the Malay Peninsula, although it has been
reported thence; therefore care should be taken that it does not in-
vade the country, or if it does appear that it should be rigorously
looked for and destroyed when found. As it is certainly more fre-
quent in Ceylon than in the Peninsula, great care should be exer-
cised m introducing fresh stock of rubber plants and seeds from
that country. Seeds in themselves are ' doubtless quite safe, but
fragments of the husks picked up on the ground and such like
material sent in packing might possibly introduce the plant. Seed-
hngs again are probably safe, but stumps of a greater age might
be infected. Estates should be regularly and carefully inspected
tree by tree by the planter to see that neither this nor any other
disease is threatening, and steps taken at once to check any that
f ° U , nd - .4" '".sanitary estate is a danger to its neighbours
and it is almost invariably the case that the bad outbreaks of dis-
ease m plantations have been due to carelessness and ignorance of
one or two owners. — Editor.
HEVEAS IN THE AMAZON.
In the Beihefte zum Tropenpflanzer, Vol. VI I, p. i, just published,
is the account of an expedition by Herr Ule to the Rubber region
Ttuhh, ^ azons „ to mvestigate the collecting and preparatio# of
Srms nfH ere ' He , mentions and partly describes 13 species or
“ of , Hem . and g‘ ves a figure of H. braziliensis and H. discolor,
to i e f -r eS l r ‘ ptIO u S of ™ ost . of his new s P ecies are quite insufficient
the , m b - v - H . e gives also an account of the methods of
collecting and preparation of the rubber by the Seringueiros, and
76
illustrative photographs. The system used by these people is well
enough known and need not be repeated. He confirms however
again the statement that the Hevea brazHiensis , grows on the flooded
banks of the Amazon. The driest months are July, August and
September. The rains commence in October lasting with short
breaks till February or March. The river commences to rise in
October and is highest in June, when in many places it is 10 to 20
inches above its ordinary level and it is in these flooded woods that
Hevea braziliensis grows mixed with many other large trees includ-
ing Cburoupita, Lecythis , Bombax, Cedrela , Hura crepitans and cho-
colate.
Of the other kinds of Hevea he mentions H. Spruceana , and a
kind called Itauba which give a second quality of latex. H . nigra ,
H. paludosa ) H. orelha da one a, H. microphylla , Sarapo and H t
pauciflora are hardly valued at all by the rubber collectors, or the
latex is only used to mix with and adulterate that of H. braziliensis.
The latex also of Sapium Taburu y is used to mix with Para rubber.
■Micrandra siphonoides is another rubber plant from this district.
A picture of its leaves, flowers, and fruits is given, and it is stated
that the rubber from it resembles in structure, colour, and elasticity
the Rambong rubber of Java and Sumatra and is valued at
marks per kilogramme, with Para rubber at 9‘00 marks It grows
with other rubber trees on the bio Negro, and might perhaps be
worth some attention, but it has not so far as I know, been brought
into cultivation as yet.
A map of the Amazons region showing the distribution of the
Para rubber along the main branches of the Amazons is given, which
seems to show that it is exclusively confined to the river banks.
RUBBER SEEDS FOR OIL AND OIL CAKE.
Imperial Institute of the
United Kingdom, the Colonies and India,
Imperial Institute Road, London, S. W.
20th January , 1905.
Sir, — I have the honour to inform you that since the publication
in the “ Bulletin of the Imperial Institute, ” (Vol. i„ 1903, p. 156) of
the report on the utilisation of the seeds of the Para rubber tree,
forwarded to you through the Colonial Office on the 21st November,
1903, a considerable number of enquiries have been received here
relative to the possibility of obtaining commercial supplies of the
seed or oil. So far some difficulty has been experienced in obtain-
ing these supplies, but now I understand a quantity of Ceylon seed
is being placed on this market, though none has been sent from the
Straits Settlements.
77
Since there appears to be a fair prospect of this seed being large-
ly imported into this country for the expression of oil it becomes
important that the suitability of the residual cake for feeding cattle
should be determined, and that the oil should be further experi-
mented \vith.
For these ‘purposes it will be necessary to have a supply of about
, # three hundredweights of the seed, or better, if procurable, the oil
(about 5 gallons) and the residual cake {2 or 3 cwtr.) left after the
oil has been expressed.
I hope that it will be possible to comply with this request at an
early date in order that the further information which is necessary
to the development of trade in this product may be obtained without
delay.
The sam pie of Para rubber seed meal originally received at the
Imperial Institute in May, 1503, yas sent by the Superintendent of
Gardens and Forests, Penang. Perhaps this officer may be able to
collect the further supply of seeds now asked for?
I have, etc.,
WYNDHAM R. DUNSTAN.
To His Excellency the Governor , Singapore,
Straits Settlements.
PERSONAL AND OTHER NOTES.
J Mr. P. J. 3URGESS left for England on March 2nd, 1905, on a
visit of six months to inspect rubber manufactories and confer with
manufacturers of rubber. lie took with him a quantity of liquid
latex preserved with Formaline for experiment and some remark-
ably fine photographs of rubber, tre6s, and methods of tapping, etc.
The old and well known Tropical Agriculturist has undergone a
change of hands. It is now amalgamated with the Magazine of the
Ceylon Agricultural Society and will in future be published under
the editorship of Dr. Willis. The Ceylon Agricultural Society was
founded last October, and is well supported by the Ceylon Govern-
ment, His Excellency the Governor being President and the Mem-
bers of x the Legislative Ccuncil and Government Agents together
with the Government Officials being on the Committee.
. We must congratulate the Ceylon planters on the interest taken
in Agriculture there by the Government, tdo often lacking in English
Colonies, and also for the first time we believe in having a regularly
published journal emanating from the Botanic Gardens.^
The first number of the new publication is illustrated by a number
of good photogravures. — Editor.
o
78
TERMITES AND RUBBER.
Lanadron Estate,
Muar , via Singapore ,
Straits Settlements.
16th February , 1905.
The Editor, 0
The Agricultural Bulletin,
Singapore.
Dear Sir, — Re Termes Gestroi attacking Para Rubber when
growing in grass (cf. your note to Mr. ROBINSON’S paper on Ter-
mites in your December issue) ; —
I have found numerous cases of this occurring and not only when
the trees are surrounded by grass, but also when growing in lalang.
Neither of these seem to be any hindrance to them, as they carry on
their labours as vigorously as ever destroying several adjacent trees
as they would do were the ground clear.
e Your faithfully,
ROGER PEARS.
TAPPING FICUS ELASTICA.
Lanadron Estate,
Muar, via Singapore ,
Straits Settlements.
1 $th February , 190 g.
The Editor,
The Agricultural Bulletin,
Singapore.
Sir, — The following method of tapping Rambong (Ficus Elastica)
may be of interest to some of your readers : —
A V-shaped channel is first cut in the outer bark only with an
ordinary gouge, and at the foot of this the tin is fixed; a single deep
cut penetrating to the wood is then made down the centre of each
arm of the V channel, when the latex flows freely out. For making
this latter cut an ordinary dinner knife does as well as anything as
the blade is straight and thin.
Using this method 8 coolies working half a day only on 4^ year
old trees have collected sufficient latex to make 11^ lbs. ol vet bis-
cuit which should weigh when dry about 8 lbs. Coagulation was
brought about by boiling as recommended by Mr. Larken,
One day’s tapping of course exhausts a tree for the time being,
and it remains to be proved by experience what interval of time
must elapse before a full yield can again be obtained, but from ob-
servations taken I should put this at not less than three months.
The tf scrap ” can be collected from the cuts if desired, but since
these offer rather too good a place for the lodgment of water it seems
almost wiser to leave the tree this natural protection ; perhaps too
the presence of this “scrap’ 5 may prevent the throwing out of aerial
roots.
Your faithfully,
ROGER FEARS.
RUBBER SEED WANTED.
Mr. F. KNOCKER, Museum, Taiping, Perak, forwards the following
letter asking for Para rubber seed. Any planter who can supply
what is wanted might correspond with him, or with the firm re-
quiring seed : — -
The Curator,
Perak Museum, Perak.
Dear Sir, — We are likely to require a quantity of Para Rubber
Seed, if position is favourable, and we shall be much obliged if you
can put us in communication with Planters or Merchants who could
supply us with this article.
%
Yours truly,
CLEMONS, MARSHALL & CARBERT,
Leeds.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Notices to Subscribers.
i. For the information of subscribers and others who wish to
complete their series of Bulletins, notice is given that numbers
I, 7, 8 and g, of the old Series (1891 to 1900) and Nos. 1, 8, 9 and
10, .of New Series, Vol. I (1901-1902) have been reprinted and
copies can be had by all whose subscriptions are paid up to date.
The cost to others is 50 cents a number.
2. A very large number of subscriptions, even for last year, are
yet unpaid although subscribers have received more than one notice
of the delay in payment. As this entails a good deal of extra work
So
on the staff, subscribers are asked to send in their subscriptions
without delay. Attention is called to the rule that all subscriptions
should be prepaid.
3. Subscribers changing their addresses are requested to give
notice to the Editor.
4. Subscribers outside the Peninsula will in future be charged
$3 .50 per annum instead of $3 to cover postage.
Meteorological observers are asked to send in their returns to
arrive before the 10th day of the following moi th, if possible, so as
to he in time for going to press.
Rainfall for March, 1505 : — •
The Prison
The Fort
The Government Hill
Balik Pulau
Pulau Jerejak
Lumut’
Pangkor
Bruas
... Ins. 3-57
2 * I I
» 3*98
■> 3*34
„ 3'65
„ 306
••• » 3-25 -
... „ 5-84
M. E. SCRIVEN,
Assistant Surgeon ,
Prison Observatory.
Penang , April , 1905.
* Highest and Lowest Temperatures on the Hill and the Plains
for the first quarter of the year 1905.
'
January.
February.
March.
' Highest
Temperature.
Lowest
Temperature.
Highest
Temperature.
Lowest
Temperature.
Highest
Temperature.
Lowest
Temperature.
Remarks.
The Government Hill ...
79-0
620
8o‘o
63-0
83-6
64-0
The Prison Observatory
9i‘o
7o‘o
930
67 ‘O
94‘0
69’ 0
M. E. SCRIVEN.
SINGAPORE MARKET REPORT*
March, 1905,
Flake Tapioca, Small
Medium
Pearl Tapioca, Small
Medium
Bullet
Tin ■
247
25
357
291
65
2,120
Articles.
Quantity
sold.
Highest
price.
Lowest
price.
-
Tons.
$
$
Coffee — Palembang -
-
1 ’ 5 -
34 *oo
31.00
Bali
-
40
25 * 5 o
24.00
Liberian
-
172
24.00
22.00
Copra
-
4 ) 39 °
8.70
7.80
Gambier t
-
2,414
9.00
8-75
Cube Gambier, Nos. i and 2
-
334
13*50
12.00
Gutta Percha, 1st quality
-
...
200.00
1 50.00
Medium
-
...
100.00
90,00
Lower
-
80.00
Ip.OO
Borneo Rubber I, 2, and 3
-
150.00
95-00
Gufta JeJutong
■*
. ***
8.50
7.00
Nutmegs, No, 1 10's
-
38.00
37 *oo
No. 8o's -
-
59.00
59 *oo
Mace, Banda
-
85.00
85.00
Amboyna
-
68.00
68.00
Pepper, Black
-
73 6
26.50
25,25
White (Sarawak)
-
359
39*50
37*25
Pearl Sago, Small
-
: 30
4.70
4.60
Medium
-
...
4 *
50
Large -
-
....
5 -
50
Sago Flour, No. 1
-
3.405
3*25
3*05
No. 2
-
5 i 5
1.12I
1. 00
4.40
4.
4.40
4.20
5-75
8o-37i
4 - 35 1 ,
50
4.35
4-15
5 .i 5 j
7 6.62^
Closing fair.
82
Export Telegram to Europe and America,
For Fortnight ending Tgth March, 1905,
Wired at 6 p,m. on 16th March, 1905.
Tin
Str,
Singapore & Penang to United Kingdom &/or
Tons.
925
Do.
>1
Do.
U. S. A.
Do.
n
Do.
Continent
378
Gambier
„
Singapore
Glasgow
Do.
,,
Do.
London
...
Do.
Do.
Liverpool
100
Do. 0
„
• Do.
U, K. &/or Continent
175
Cube Gambier
>1
Do.
United Kingdom
20
Black Pepper
,,
Do,
Do.
...
Do.
,,
Penang
Do.
20
White Pepper
»
Singapore
Do.
1 10
Do.
>1
Penang
Do.
Pearl Sago
Singapore
Do.
Sago flour
»
Do.
London
210
Do.
Do.
Liverpool
2,170
Do.
„
Do.
Glasgow
200
Tr pioca Flake
>1
Singapore & Penang
United Kingdom
180
T. Pearl & Bullets
Do.
Do.
43°
Tapioca Flour
,,
Penang
Do.
158
Gutta Percha
,,
Singapore
Do.
25
Buffalo Hides
Do.
Do.
85
Pineapplec
,,
Do.
Do. cases
17,000
Gambier
Do.
U. S. A.
175
Cube Gambier
„
Do.
Do.
40
Black Pepper
it
Do.
Do.
275
Da.
,,
Penang
Do.
220
White Pepper
„
Singapore
Do.
10
Do.
,,
Penang
Do.
...
T. Flake h Pearl
11
Singapore & Penang
Do.
300
Nutmegs
,,
Do,
Do.
12
Sago Flour
jj
Singapore
Do.
125
Pineapples
„
Do.
Do. cases
4,750
Do.
„
Do.
Continent ,,
3,250
Gambier
>1
Do.
S. Continent
120
Do.
n
Do,
N. Continent
W5
Cube Gambier
a
Do.
Continent
5
Black Pepper
a
Do.
S. Continent
440
Do.
„
Do.
N. Continent
no
Do.
11
Penang
S. Continent
40
Do.
11
Do.
N. Continent
...
White Pepper
>1
Singapore
S. Continent
30
Do.
11
Do,
N, Continent
80
Do.
>1
Penang
S. Continent
...
‘ Do.
11
Do.
N. Continent
10
Copra
„
Singapore & Penang
Marseilles
660
Do.
„
Do.
Odessa
1,500
Do.
,,
, Do.
Other S. Continent
i;i75
Do,
,,
Do.
N. Continent
500
Sago Flour
„
Do.
Continent
900
Tapioca Flake
11
Singapore & Penang
Do.
IIQ .
Do. Pearl
u
Do.
Do.
180
Copra
.1
Singapore
England
...
8 3
Gambler
Str.
Singapore
U. S. A.
Cube Gambier
} ,
Do.
Do.
T. Flake & Pearl
, j
Do.
Do.
Sago Flour
n
Do.
Do.
Gambier
,,
Do.
S. Continent
~ \
Copra
Do.
Marseilles
/
Black Pepper
,
Do.
S. Continent
White Pepper
Do.
Do.
\
Do.
n
Do.
U. S.» A.
Pineapoles
)>
Do.
Do.
\
Nutmegs
Do.
Do.
.y
Black Pepper
a
Do.
Do.
Do.
,,
Penang
Do.
White Pepper
j ?
Do.
Do.
T. Flake & Pearl
,,
Do.
Do.
Nutmegs
Do.
Do.
1,500 tons Gambier
370 „ Black Pep p
er 1
Contracts.
Export Telegram to Europe and America.
For Fortnight ending 31st March ,
1905.
Wired at 5.30 p.m
. on
3rd April, 1905.
Tin
Str. Singapore and Penang
to United Kingdom &/pr
Tons.
1050
Do.
if Do.
U. S. A.
600
Do.
>> Do.
Continent
160
Gambier
„ Singapore
Glasgow
Do.
ti Do.
London
Do.
1, Do.
Liverpool
...
Do.
i) Do,
U. K. &•/ or Continent
j =;o
Cube Gambier
Do.
United Kingdom
30
Black Pepper
,, Do.
Do.
1 10
Do.
1 it Penang
Do.
*30
10
White Pepper
,, Singapore.
Do.
Do.
M Penang
Do.
Pearl Sago
„ Singapore
Do:
10
Sago flour
„ Do.
London
So
Do.
Do.
Liverpool
Do, ,
11 Do.
Glasgow
Tapioca Flake
,, Singapore & Penang
United Kingdom
1 10
T. Pearl & Bullets
1, Do.
Do.
too
Tapioca Flour
11 Penang
Do.
270
Gutta Percha
„ Singapore
Do.
65
Buffalo Hides
it Do.
Do.
70
9,000
Pineapples
1. Do.
Do. Cases
Gambier
»i Do.
U. S. A.
775
Cube Gambier
Do.
Do.
55
130
Black Pepper
,, Do.
Do.
Do.
„ Penang
Do.
100
White Pepper
ii Singapore
Do.
43
Do.
,, Penang
Do.
T. Flake & Pearl
„ Singapore & Penang
Do.
320
3 *
40
Nutmegs
„ Do.
Do.
Sago Flour
n Singapore
Do.
Pineapples
St'r.
Singapore
U. S, A. Cases
Tons.
■ 3750
Do.
,,
Do.
Continent ,,
1,500
Gambier
Do.
S. Continent
25
Do.
Do.
N. Continent
25
Cube Gambler
>»
Do.
Continent
30
Black Pepper
Do.
S. Continent
10
Do.
Do.
N. Continent
. 65
Do.
Penang
S. Continent
.1.
Do.
Do.
N. Continent
...
White Pepper
n
Singapore
S. Continent
Do.
n
Do.
N. Continent
40
Do.
n
Penang
S. Continent
Do.
n
Do.
N. Continent
Copra
,,
Singapore & Penang
Marseilles
200
Do.
Do.
Odessa
1 S°
Do,
Do.
Other South Continent
Do.
Do.-
N. Continent
200
Sago Flour
n ~
Do.
Continent
325
Tapioca Flake
Singapore & Peneng
Do.
180
Do. Pearl
Do.
Do.
170
Copra
>1
Singapore
England
Gambier
»
Do.
U. S. A.
...
Cube Gambier
Do.
Do.
...
T. Flake, and Pearl
Do. ,
Do.
...
Sago Flour
Do.
Do.
...
Gambier
Do.
S. Continent
...
Copra
Do.
* Marseilles
Black Pepper
Do.
S. Continent
...
White Pepper
‘
Do.
Do.
...
Do.
D
Do. -
U. S. A.
...
Pineapples
ii
Do.
DO.
...
Nutmegs
Do.
Do,
...
Black Pepper
)!
Do.
Do.
Do.
Penang
Do.
...
White Pepper
J
Do.
Do.
T. Flake & Pearl
}
Do.
Do.
Nutmegs
>,
Do. *
Do.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings for the month of February, igog.
■sanoq fz Suunp gnjumg papar*)
■LO VO
C P
w crj !m
•[[•cjui-ey papx
vn 0
£ c no\
►5 o<o
r-i
S P U IM J° uoipoaiQ SuqreAajg
W
£
I •Xqpimnjg
00 :
1
Hygrometer.
quroj MOQ
■uoisuax -inoduy\
s $ ■
P-! 00 ’
-c ll n a
r N
&■ -6.=
Temperature.
r 00
O* :
•uinuiiuijy
r P
£ a :
•uintutxiei^
* & ;
■qtngAJQ
* * :
•ung ur mnuiiXEp\[
te* on :
O c*3 •
•qeq
0 zC p pjoupuioicg ueo]^
ON
c OS •
ON
w
District.
(
Kandang Kerbau Hospital Observatory ... ... 1
Botanic Gardens ... . ... !
I
A. B. LEICESTER, D. K. McDOWELL,
Candang Kerbau Hospital Observatory. Meterological Observer. ■ Principal Civil Medical Officer, S. S.
Singapore, 20th March, iQOp.
Singapore.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings for the month of March, igog.
86
•sjnoq Xz Suunp {jejuTiay jsajna-ir)
js - 2"
•linjuiv^ pzjoj.
. UD
S
m
•spujy^\ JO UOIJ 03 JIQ Sut[reA 3 JJ '
E.N.E.
V
Hygrometer.
•Ajtpitunpi
£ ;
•juioj A\sa
Cl, *> ■ ■
0 'd* •
t>. ’
'UOISU 9 X jnodUj\
LO
ifi tJt •
c <50 -
•qi n a
. -d-
(x, t> ;
0 C".
Temperature.
‘agun-jj
\n
Cih :
‘uintuiuij\[
. JN
tu CO ;
0 t>
■mntuixEj^
«
fc. Sv :
0 &
■qpa
. 'o
Cl, m '•
0 00 •
■ung ui uinuarxu]^
00
ir !
o zZ je ojnssaaj jEoujauioJiea unoj\[
j 8
S o' r
M CTi
W
District.
O
«
>
u
a>
03
:
O
15
Si'S
K.O
iC PQ
A. B. LEICESTER, D. K. McDOWELL,
Kan dang Kerbau Hospital Observatory, Meteorological Observer. Principal Civil Medical Officer, 5 . 5 .
Singapore, 1 3th April , 190$.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings in the Prison Observatory for March, jyog '
87
‘sjnoq \>z Suunp j|Ejuury; ;S 3 ^ 3 J 0
C/3 0\
C i-i
t “ l "m,
IBPX
•
M CO
* S P U !AY P UOJP3JIQ SuiiiBAQaj
£
Hygrometer.
■4
‘Tppiiunpj
5 R R
lUIod A\.3Q
00
CO
^ 0
jp»
’U0ISU3X Jr *odeA
un
ON
0
P\ n R PM.
lx, Ch
0 io
Temperature.
•oSunyj
& b
■Lunturui]^
& •;
•ujniuixBj\i
p
O CNf
o\
■qi n a Xjq
9P .
O
00
'ung u; uinuipmj^
El ^
n m
0 10
QJUSS3JJ {BOUpuiOJUg UB3]ft[
03
■ h-f
c S*
1— t b\
District.
Criminal Prison Observatory ...
Colonial Surgeon’s Office, M. E. SCRIVEN, T. C. MUGLISTON,
a £> soth Apt il, i pop. Assistant Surgeon. Colonial Surgeon , Penang.
District,
Malacca.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings for the month of February, 1905.
PS
oi
S3
tfl
e n
s
a.
<u
S
£ jc
pj cs
c o
rt «
<u CO
c
3
m
S
33
B
‘P
PS
s
_Q
"3
CQ
u
Q
c
c3
Ins.
°F
°F
Durian Daun Hospital
29-828
156-1
82-4
I
Temperature.
E
3
a
■p
n5
a
3
s
°F
88'6
<u
buo
a
rt
&
°F
74 "
°F
i3’
sB
S3
PQ
c
*pj
<U
Hygrometer.
°F
79*6
G
.2
*35
c
OJ
H
Vh
S 3
o
Cu
pi
>
s
"o
Oh
£
0)
Q
Ins.
■994
°F
7 r 4
y
*5
3
X
89
TJ
G
a
be
a,
E.
ps
>4-1
G
‘rt
»5
33
o
H
Ins.
2*00
<N
be
G
3
03
PS
M-i
c
'rt
05
co
a> b
■+-* 3
pj o
2.
O
Ins.
119
Colonial Surgeon’s Office,
Malacca, 22nd March, 1905.
F. B. CROUCHER,
Colonial Surgeon, Malacca .
Malacca,
Abstract of Meteorological Readings for the month of March , / 905,
District,
Mean Barometrical Pressure at
32 0 Fah.
Maximum in Sun.
Temperature.
Hygrometer.
Prevailing Direction of Winds.
| Total Rainfall.
Greatest Rainfall during 24 1
hours. 1
Mean Dry Bulb,
Maximum.
Minimum.
Range.
-d
3
CQ
I-
n3
<D
| Vapour Tension.
Dew Point.
£
'B
1
X
Ins.
°F
°F
°F
op
°F
°F
°F
%
%
Ins.
Ins.
Durian Daun Hos-
■
pital ... 1
29*812
H5'3
82*4
87-9
74'7
■
13*2
76-4
•829
0
1
? 6
E.
472
1*50
f
F. B. CROUCHER
Colonial Surgeon’s Office, Coloiiial Surgeon , Malacca ,
Malacca, 10th April, njog
Perak.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings in the various Districts of the State for the month of March , 1905.
District.
Mean Barometrical
Pressure at 32° Fah.
Maximum in Sun.
Temperature.
Hygrometer.
«
0
c
_o
Total Rainfall.
Greatest Rainfall during
24 hours.
Mean Dry Bulb.
Maximum.
Minimum.
^ Range.
Mean Wet Bulbj
1
Vapour Tension.
Dew Point.
Humidity.
Prevailing Direc
Winds.
Taiping
• . .
1— 1
Cn
GJ
82-53
94
70
23
77*60
877
78
20-44
co
Kuala Kangsar
...
81-47
95
68
26
75*88
829
77
4'!5
I-3I
Batu Gajah
160
81-92
95
70
25
76-84
857
79
10*09
2-23
Gopeng
. . .
8ro6
95
63
30
75'7i
820
78
5‘°9
1-03
Ipoh
...
80-85
94
70
2 3
7717
901
87
4-88
r2 3
Kampar
. . .
...
83
68
* . .
• . •
22-09
2-68
Teluk Anson
82-17
94
70
22
;6'93
859
78
5*77
1-87
Tapah
...
8i'8o
94
67
27
76-47
842
78
1 2’ I I
1-46
Parit Buntar
...
82-74
92
63
28
76*67
839
75
'5-3I
1 -90
Bagan Serai
83-05
92
69
23
77-lB
850
! 76
8-96
2*70
Selama
...
82-27
92
7°
22
77*23
868
• ••
| 79
11-20
3*50
State Surgeon J s Office, M j WRIGHT,
Taiping, 12th April , 1905. State Surgeon.
... o
.0
G
Selangor.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings
District,
General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur
Pudoh Gaol Hospital „
District Hospital
„ Klang
j> Kuala Langat
» # Kajang
» Kuala Selangor
„ Kuala Kubu
,, Serendah
,, Rawang
Beri-beri Hospital, Jeram
Sabah Bernam
State Surgeon’s Office,
Kuala Lumpur , 20th March t iqo 5,
in the various Districts of the State for the month of February, 190 $•
Mean Barometrical Pressure at
32 0 Fah7
Maximum in Sun.
Temperature.
Hygrometer.
tn
•o
a
£
0
c
.2
0
)H
s
.5
"c3
>
£
Ph
Total Rainfall.
__
Greatest Rainfall during 24
hours. L
Mean Dry Bulb.
| Maximum.
Minimum.
Range.
jfJ
13
co
V
£
<3
4>
s
Vapour Tension.
| Dew Point.
Humidity.
29-897
151-1
79-8
89-3
70*7
i8-6
7 5’6
0'8i6
73'i
81
s.w.
6-23
1-90
...
8-82
...
. . .
7-78
2-40
87- 1
70-5
16*6
7'22
i ‘75
86-8
726
14-2
6-65
1-26
93‘2
71-2
22'o
&20
1*36
...
87-3
74'3
13*0
2 ' 6 j
no
90*6
70-4
20*2
5-80
2’o4
...
90-1
757
14-4
...
5*62
1-46
86-3
695
x6-8
6-47
1-65
...
...
...
...
4‘34
2-24
***
...
...
377
I'OO
E. A. O. TRAVERS,
State Surgeon , Selangor.
Selangor.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings in the various Districts of the State for the month of March , igo$.
•
District.
[ Mean Barometrical
Pressure at 3 2° Fah.
j Maximum in Sun.
1
Temperature.
Hygrometer.
1
Prevailing Direction
of Winds.
Total Rainfall.
Greatest Rainfall
during 24 hours.
i
Mean
Dry Bulb.
1 Maximum.
! 1
Minimum.
Range,
Mean
Wet Bulb. |
Vapour
Tension.
Dew Point.
Humidity. j
General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur
Pudoh Gaol Hospital, ,,
District Hospital, ,,
„ Klang
„ Kuala Langat
„ Kajang ...
,, Kuala Selangor
,, Kuala' Kubu
Serendah ... <...
,, Rawang ...
Beri-beri Hospital, Jeram
Sabah Bernam
29-884
i 47‘2
...
8r6
92-0
88*4
89-1
95-5
89-6
93*5
9 fi
8 7'5
71- 4
70-9
740
72- 1
75 ' 1
72-3
76.8
65-8
20-6
17*5
I 5 ‘ I
23 ’4
* 4'5
21*2
H '3
217
76- 1
0-803
72 -6
74
Calm.
6-o8
6- i8
371
474
0- 26
7- 03
3*18
5'22
3'58
5'63
1- 03
2-27
170 w
1T3
0- 67
1- 49
0*20
2- 02
0- 92
1- 24
0-85
0-51
0-97
State Surgeon’s Office, E. A. O. TRAVERS,
Kuala Lumpur. 17 th April, /qck, „
r ° State Surgeon, Sflangor.
Pahang.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings in the various Districts of the State for the month of February , 7905.
District.
Mean Barometrical Pressure at
32 0 Fab.
Maximum in Sun.
Temperature.
Hygrometer.
Prevailing Direction of Winds.
• v ^
N 1
bjj i
Mean Dry Bulb.
Maximum.
Minimum.
| Range. ■
f
Mean Wet Bulb.
. ' 1
Vapour Tension.
Dew Point.
Humidity.
Total Rainfall.
Greatest Rainfall durir
hours.
Kuala Lipis
93-0
67*0
17*60
4-46
*95
Raub
90-0
64*0
17-25
. . .
7-23
3*60
Bentong
92-0
68-5
1 34
• ■ •
4*39
•86
Temerloh
92*0
7i’o
21‘0 *
...
# . -
5*38
1*36
Pekan
92 0
66*o
11-37
22*07
3*85
Kuala Kuantan
.1.
92*0
64*0
17-8
• • .
5'54
1*24
Sungei Lembing ...
87-0
62*0
25-0 *
...
. . .
- . .
12*63
4‘i5
Kuala Lipis,
23rd March , 7905,
S. LUCY,
State Surgeon, Pahang*
* Maximum Range.
District.
Lanadron Estate ..
Muar.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings for the month of March, igog.
cd
CD
3
c/>
c/i
<u
Ui
Oh
Id
_o
■j-j
OJ
a
o
1 -.
cd
CQ
c 4
cd
<D Ph
3
in
E
3
a
‘S
cd
Temperature.
JD
3
CQ
b
a
a
3
a
cd
cd
cd
IS
§
33 c
93
e
3
a
•a
7 *'
<v
be
c
cd
04
22 c
£
3
CQ
oj
£
3
cd
dJ
75
Hygrometer.
cd
H
u
3 '
O
a.
£
o
CL,
£
dJ
Q
-3
'§
3
£
-a
g
%
a
be
^G
’cd
>
dJ
i-i
Oh
cd
u—
G
cd
04
o
H
7’43
3
O
jd
<N
be
3
.a
a
Oh
cd
<D
I-.
o
2*28
s
J/aflr, /4/r»7, tgog,
ROGER PEARS
The Duff Development Concession Limited, Kelantan.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings for the month of March, z 9 og.
Temperature.
Rainfall.
o
-
■c
District,
6
S
13
S
'S
CT 3
d
S
‘S
o
bJD
d
13
G
M-i
c
*c3
%
s
rt
0$
nj
oc
4 -> 3
S 3 0
-
d
<u
d
. ci
<u
d
03
13
<L> i—i
Co ^4.
(u
>
£
£
<D
£
o
H
w
0
Kuala Lebir
Ulu Liang
Serasa
Kuala Kelantan
°F
93' 1
81*9
91-6
. 86-3
°F
7 o ‘4
7T2
72*0
73*3
°F
22*7
i O’ 7
19*6
t3*o
Inches.
*79
3*39
4*69
176
Inches.
■26
1*73
1*29
*92
April 6th, i 9 o$ t JOHN D. GIMLETTE.
I 96
METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.
Table Showing the Daily Results of the Reading of Meteorological Observations taken
, at the General Hospital, Seremban, For the Month of February, 1905 .
Temperature of radiation.
i
Temperature of
radiation.
Wind.
Temperature
of evaporation.
Computed
vapour tension.
Relative
humidity.
Clouds 0 to 10.
Cloud
and weather
initials.
Rain.
Date.
c
3 .
a?
TD .
a C
^.2
Direction.
)
(
m
-
] 9
H
.i
15
H
Mean.
Maximum.
Minimum.
Range.
G
3
CO
Difference :
and shadt
Grass,
i <D .*3
O <73
c rt
0) >-*
CD T5
tc G
5"
9
H
15
H
9 ,
H
! 15
H
Mean.
9
H
15
H
Mean.
9
H
15
H
■
Mean.
9
H
15
H
21
H
9
H
15
H
21
H
c/5
1
j 0
77
- O
87
00
N> 0
O
87
O
68
O
19 '
157
70
65
3
E.
S.E.
0
72-3 .
; 0
73*9
73 *i
0*793
0-837
0-815
94
65
79*5
2
2
2
B
B
_
B
2
77
86
89-5
86
99
17
137
51
67
2
E.
S’.E.
7 I »
74 ’ 2
73
* 7 S 3
*855
*818
84
68
76
3
5
5
C
C
C
3
75
85
So
88
68
20
158
70
67
I
E.
S.E.
69^
71 ’8
70*8
• 73 i
781
756
84
64
74
2
10
5
B
R
C
4
75
85
80
88
67
21
158
70
65
2
N.E.
S.E.
6 S -
75 * 2
70‘6
•620
*873
•746
67
72
69*5
3
2
2
C
B
B
-5
78
88
83
90
67
2 3
160
7 °
67
O
E.
S.E.
69-5
73*3
7 i *9
722
■819
•770
75
61
68
2
0
0
B
B
B
6
78
88
83
88
68
20
159
7 i
68
O
S.E.
S.E.
?4
71*6
71-4
•765
'775
770
79
58
68*5
0
0
0
B
B
B
7
76
87
815
89
67
22
156
67
’65
2
E. t
S.E,
7 -o *9
72-2
7 i ‘5
756
792
*774
84
61
7 2 ’5
0
0
0
B
B
B
• 8
7 ?
89
83-5
89
67
22
1 57
68
66
I
E.
S.E,
72*9
7 ri
72
•810
*7 57
‘783
84
55
' 69s
0
0
3
B
B
c
79
9
80
89
84-5
89
72
17
155
66
69
3
N.E.
E.
7 ij
711
7 1 ‘3
*775
■ 757
7 66
75
55
65
0
3
3
B
C
c
10
77
83
80
83
73
10
120
37
69
4
S.E,
E.
73 $
697
71-6
'829
724
776
89
64
76*5
3
3
3
C
C
c
11
74
81
77 '5
82
73
9
123
41
68
5
N.E.
E.
7 2*3
72-6
72-4
793
*803
*797
94
76
85
3
3
3
C
C
c
' 12
75
83
79
85
72
i 3
i 45
60
69
3
E.
E.
7 l y
697
706
*774
.724
744
89
64
76\5
5
3
10
C
C
R
13
79
84
8 i *5
86
7 2
14
160
74
69
3
N.E.
N.E.
7 2 j 3
72-4
7 2 *3
*793
*794
*793
80
68
74
3
2
0
' C
B
B
14
77
77
77
86
72
H
i 5 2
66
69
3
E.
E.
72-3 J
70-2
7 1 '2
*793
*739
766
£4
79
86-5
0
3
3
B
C
c
C 5
78
85
Si'S
86
72
! 4
145
59
69
3
E.
E.
71-2
66-8
69
765
■66o
-712
79
55
67
0 1
0
0
B
B
B
16
74
77
75 '5
88
7 2
16
188
00
69
3
N.E.
E.
723
73-6
719
*793
■829
'81 1
£4
89
9 i *5
3
3
0
C
C
B
1.7
79
82
So ‘5
87
^9
18
165
78
67
2
E.
E.
67*2
7° ‘3
687
■666 ’
74 ^
7°4
67
68
67*5
0
3
0
B
C
B
18 I
79
80
79 *5
87
69
18
120
33
67
2
E.
E.
65*5
71 6
68-5
728.
*775
701
63
75
69
0
0
0
B
B
B
19
78
80
79
87
69
18
156 j
63
65
4
E.
E.
7 2 ‘9
71.6
72*2
•810
*775
792
84
! 75
79*5
3
2
0
C
B
B
20 I
80
87
8 3‘5
89
68
21
1C0
7 i
65
3
E.
E. (
7 1 ] 5
75*5
73 '5
*775
•884
•829
75
69
72
0
0
c
B
B
B
21
80
87
83 *5
89
7 °
19
160
7 i
67
3
E.
E.
71 lo
75*5
73*5
*775
•884
■ -829
75
69
72
0
0
0
B
B
B
22 '
83
83
83
89
7 1
18
i 5 8
69
67
4
E.
N.E.
73
73
73
■810
•810
■8io
7 2
72
7 2
0
3
10
B
C
R
*55
23
76
86
81
89
73
16
165
76
69
4
E.
S.E.
74*|3
74'2
74*2
■848
•855
■851
94
68
81
0
3
3
B
C
C
24
80
77
78-5
89
74
i 5
161
7 2
'70
4 ,
S.E.
E.
73*3
71-9
72'6
•820
■783
‘So 1
gq
84
82
0
10
5
B
R
C
•84
25
77
78
77‘5
90
7 2
18
165
75
7 i
1
E - I
E -
73-6
746
74- 1
•829
•857
‘843
89
89
89
0
10
3
B
R
c
26 |
78
88
83
89
73
16
155
66
71
2
E. j
S.E.
72-9
74*9
73'9
•810
•865
•837
84
65
74*5
0
0
0
B
B
B
.26
27
78
89
83-5
90
72
18
163
73
7 i
1
S-E.
N.E.
74-6
74*3
74*4
*857
■847
'852
89
61
75
0
0
0
B
B
B
28
78
86
82
87
74
13
165
78
7 i
3
E. !
S.E.
I
74-6
74 ‘ 2
74*4
*857
*855
■856
S 9
68
78*5
3
5
5
C
C
C
Total 244
State j Surgeon's Office,
R. VAN GEYZEL,
Seremban , nth March , /poj.
' U - 7
A pothecary .
1
AGRICULTURAL BULLETIN
’ OF THE
STRAITS
AND
FEDERATED MALAY STATES.
No. 4.] APRIL, 1905. [Vol. IV.
DECLINE IN RUBBER.
Yield in various parts of the World.
The rapid disappearance of wild rubber in many parts of the
world is becoming more and more striking as years go by. The
heavy demand for rubber of all sorts has nearly exhausted all the
accessible forests of wild rubber plants. In nearly all cases, the
rubber collector quite destroys the tree or creeper, so that, should the
forests be even full of seedlings, it will be a very long time before
these are fit to produce rubber. Moreover, the destruction of the
plants means the destruction of the seeds, as few or no seed-bearers
are left. It is in this way that several other jungle-products have
been almost or quite exterminated. The rubber trade has been
living almost exclusively on jungle rubber, and has attained thus
enormous proportions. Now comes a still greater increase of demand
and a very rapid failure of supply. Some recent rubber statistics
published in the India Rubber World (February 1st, 1905), show this
collapse of the world supply very clearly
Thus, the export of rubber from Burmah in 1892-1893 was
I, 116,864 pounds, decreasing to 1,038,240 in 1895, with a sudden
drop to 801,248 in 1896, and a steady decline to 200,704 pounds in
1903-1904.
In Bolivia, in 1900, 7,691,728 pounds were exported, with a rapid
steady decline to 2,906,274 in 1903.
British Central Africa exported in 1901 -1902, 14,393^ pounds,
II, 723 next year, and last year, 4,262. Southern Nigeria, in 1901’
1,740,156 pounds; in 1903, 1,177,803.
Portuguese East Africa seems to have increased a little, but the
amount exported is small, and there is an increase in impure cooked
rubber and a diminution in better grades.
In British Honduras, there has been a steady fall from 55,331 in
1 899 to 22,176 in 1903.
9 8
Considering the increased prices and demands during these last
ew years, which would naturally produce a larger supply if it was to
be had, we may take it that this falling off in jungle rubber is due to
the extermination of rubber plants in all these, and indeed several
other countries. Statistics like these ought to be enough to calm the
minds of those who are scared by the idea of over-production.
Another article in the same Number gives an account of the con-
sumption of rubber in America. This has increased in 1904 to
27,623 tons as against 24,760 in 1903. In fact, it is clear Uat the
demand is increasing all over the world, and it is important in the
interests of all, from planter to consumer, that the cultivation should
spread as far as it can.
RUBBER EXPERIMENTS IN THE BOTANIC
GARDENS, SINGAPORE.
We give, in thfe number the continuation of the experiments on
Para rubber trees in the Botanic Gardens, carried out last year and
part of this one. This series of returns and calculations constitutes
the result of Experiment V. The next Number of the Bulletin will
contain the results of Experiment VI, the last of this series, and will
be fallowed by a summary of the- results.
♦
g- N«
Tree
200
205'
206
207
209
331
33 2
333
337
34 1
Experiment V.
Ft. in.
1 : 7
1 8 f
r 6£
1 8f
i 8|
1 ni
I iof
I iof
I II
I 9i
17 9 t
MORNING.
Registered
Girth at
3 feet -
from Ground.
Mode
of
Incision.
Herring-bone.
Every other day.
Amount. I
Date.
Augt.
12
15
■ 17
19
22
24
26
29
I
3
6
8
12
14
16
Total i Average .
Comparative
Yield
j Times I * ^ Yield j P er inch Girth
Ounces, j Tapped. Yield, per Tree. at 3 feet
1 from Ground.
3f
2 i
4i
5-1
4
2f
5
3
1
2i
2
15
46 ozs. 1 ozs. 4 x fl (j
Under \ ounce.
Remarks.
O
VO
t Each tree between 1 foot 6 inches and 3 feet girth.
■ * Nearly dry biscuit rubber.
Experiment V,
MORNING.
Reg. Mo.
of Tree.
Working
Number.
Registered
Giiih at
3 f eet
from Ground.
Mode
of
Incision.
Date.
Amount.
Ounces.
Times
Tapped.
Total
Yield.
Average
Yield
per Tree.
Comparative
Yield
per inch of Girth
at 3 feet
from Ground.
'
Remarks.
475
48 s
484
496
497
498
500
501
505
519
*
I.
<
Group II.
Aggregate
Ft. in.
1 Si
1 8
I XOj
1 6f '
1 10
1 Hi
1 9$
1 9i
1 5 !
i 11
’7 3 *t
Herring-bone.
Every other day.
Nov.
14
16
18
21
23
25
28
30
Dec.
2
5
7
10
i 3
1 5
17
*
2i
5
3 f
3
3
ai
4 i
3
3 f
af
if
2
3
2
*5
46^ ozs.
‘4ilbs,
a i6
6
4 IC 02s.
Under £ ounce.
* Nearly dry robber. + Each tree under 2 feet girth.
1 00
g.
Tre<
555
561
567
569
572
576
587
594
609
625
Experiment V
MORNING.
Registered
Girth at
3 feet
from Ground.
Ft. in.
2 2f
2 Si
2 2h
2 If
2 3
2 I
2 if
2 6
- 2 2|
2 if
22 3 I
Mode
of
Incision.
Her.ing-bone.
Every other day.
Date.
Nov.
21
23
25
28
30
Dec.
2
5
7
10
13
15
17
19
21
■23
26
28
Amount.
Ounces.
Times
Tapped.
|
Total
Yield.
Average
Yield
per Tree.
Comparative
Yield
per inch of Girth
at 3 feet
from Ground.
Remarks.
*
H
5*
7 f
6f
7 t
2f
6
4
5 i
4*
6
3
3 i
2|
3 i
3 *
3
17
764 ozs.
4*A| lbs
IO
7— ozs.
' IQ
%
Over f ounce.
1
Rain.
* Nearly dry rubber.
t Each tree, between 2 feet and 2 feet 6 inches girth.
Reg. No.: Working
of Tree. | Number.
Registered
Girth at
3 feet
from Ground.
639 ;
641 '
645
648 j
652 ; 11.
657 Group II.
j
662
664
,669
670
Aggregate
Girth ...
Ft, in.
2 4
4 4f
2 4*
2 3i
2 ' oj
2 ' 4 f
2 5
2 Tf
2 of
2 4 f
22 10 1
Mode
of
Incision.
Herring-bone.
Every other day.
Experiment V.
morning.
Date.
Amount.
Times
1- *Tf
Total
Ounces.
Tapped.
Yield.
Nov.
*
22
2f
24
7
26
H
,
29
9h
; ..• j
Dec.
1
00
3
6
7%
8
4 f
12
5i
17
92f ozs.
14
71
5^ lbs.
16
si
16
1 8
3> ■
22
3
4
24
- 3
27
2h ;
, 29
3i
Average
Yield
per Tree.
Comparative
Yield
per inch of Girth
at 3 feet
from Ground.
Over f ounce.
* Nearly drv rubber. f Each tree- t r I , . "
J oerween 2 feet and 2 feet 6 inches girth.
Remarks.
102
Reg. No.
of Tree.
Working
Number.
5o8
5*3
528
5 2 9
532
534
539
556
559
560
III.
Group
I.
Aggregate
; Girth
Registered
Girth at
3 feet
from Ground.
Ft. ir
9f
7i
6 i
27 61 - f
Mode
of
Incision.
Herring-bone.
Every other day.
Experiment V.
MORNING.
Date.
Amount.
Ounces.
Times
Tapped.
Nov.
12
15
17 '
19
22
24
26
29
Dec,
1
3
*6
8
12
14
16
19
21
23
26
5
Si
7f
Si
81
9i
Hi
ioi
ni
7\
Si
5i
7i
7
6i
5a
If
Total
Yield.
Average
Yield
per Tree.
148! ozs.
9j| »>s-
Comparative
Yield
per inch of Girth
at 3 feet
from Ground.
Under i ounce.
Remarks.
o
00
* Nearly dry rubber.
t Each tree between a feet 6 inches and 3 feet girth.
N
Tre
563
564
566
573
575
585
586
593
599'
602
Experiment V,
morning.
Registered
Girtb at
3 feet
from Ground.
Mode
of
Incision.
mm
Date.
Amount
Ounces.
Times
Tapped.
Total
Yield.
Average
Yield
per Tree
1 Comparative
f Yield
per inch of Girth 1
at 3 feet J
from Ground. |
Ft.
in.
Nov.
14
*
4 f
1
2
9 t-
Herring-bone.
16
18
8
91 -
2
107}
Every other day.
2r
8f -
■
2
64
23
io£
'
25
8
2
9 l
28
Hi
2
6f
'
*
30 •
Dec.
10
2
7 ’i
2
54
2
6$
5
7
9 i
84
19 .
1244 ozs.
12#
l2 t 0ZS '
Under £ ounce.
2
IO
10
4
7 iff lbs.
13
44
2
- 1-5
44
2
8
17
44
20
24
27
3 t
22
34
—
24
3
27
© -
44
* Nearly dry 1 rubber.
;t
ch tree between 2 feet C inches and 3 feet girth.
Remarks.
Experiment V,
morning.
Reg. No.
of Tree.
Working
Number.
Registered
Girth at
3 feet
front Ground.
Mode
of
Incision.
Date.
Amount.
Ounces.
Times
Tapped.
Total
Yield.
Average
Yield
per Tree.
Comparative
Yield
per inch of Girth
at 3 feet
from Ground.
Remarks.
Nov.
*
•
- -
54
#
.
Ft. in.
3 8*
3 9i
Herring-bone.
Every other (Jay.
2 i
23
25
28
30
Dee.
64
8*
144
m
I4i
-
1904
57
hi
1 12
118
123
138
142
H3
IV.
Group ^
1
l
3 9
3 74
3 11
4
3 i°i
3 10I-
3 H
3 10
2
5
7
10
13
IS
17
19
21
23
26
38
3G
Jan.
3
5
7
10
4
Hi
i6i
134
16
15
94
124
12^
II|
9 k
1 of
64
6|
74
8
6f
8 1
24
2584 ozs.
16 f 6 lbs.
1 lb.
Q — ozs,
y io
\
Over 4 ounce.
Rain.
1 905
Aggregate
Girth ...
37 10 f
14
O4
8
* Nearly dry rubber, t Each tree between 3 feet 6 inches and 4 feet girth.
Reg. No.
of T ree.
1 5 8
159
161
173
176
193
197
201
220
226
Experiment Y.
morning.
Working
Number.
Registered
Girth at
3 feet
from Ground.
IV.
Group. „
II.
Aggregate
' Girth ...
Ft. in.
7 *
I0|
ill
10
7!
6f
Mode
of
Incision.
Date.
Amount.
Ounces.
Herring-bone
Every other day.
Nov,
22
24
Z6
29
Dec.
I
3
6
8
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
2 ! 7
29'
3 1
Jan.
4
6
9
11
13
, IS
ni
12%
*3i
45 i
19
15
17
IS
12 1
i8|
i9f
8
loi
I of
I of
n
9
9*
7
Si-
Times
Tapped.
Total
Yield.
24
Average
Yield
per Tree.
2 77i ozs.
I7^| lbs.
10
lbs. 1.
. 1
Comparative
Yield
per inch of Girth
at 3 feet
from Ground.
Over
* Nearly dry rubber. t Each tr ee between 3 feet 6 inches and 4 feet girth.
Remarks.
1904.
1905.
QOI
g.N
Tree
39
60
81
127
222
232
373
387
403
4.14
Registered
" Girth at
3 feet
from Ground.
Ft. in.
4 8
4 10
4 9 i
4 7 i
4 9
4 11
4 7 i
4 7 f
4 9
4 84
47 3 ft
Experiment V.
MORNING.
Mode
of
Incision.
Herring-boue.
Every other day.
Date.
Amount.
Ounces.
Times
Tapped.
\
Nov.
*
21
10
23
I 3 i
25
m
28
184
30
22i
Dtec.
2
3 f
5
19 * .
7
2l|
10
134
13
19
24
IS
24
17
I 7 f
19
i8f
21
16I
23
12
26
124
28
i 3 t
3 °
13
~vr
Jan.
3
IO
■" 5
1 St
,1
10
10
84
12
84
14
94
Total
Yield.
Average
Yield
per Tree,
lbs. 21
ozs.
2 lbs.
2-&0ZS.
Comparative
Yield
per inch of Girth
at 3 feet
from Ground.
Over 4 ounce.
1904
Rain.
1905
t Each, tree between 4 feet 6 inches and $ feet girth.
Remarks.*
O
* Nearly dry rubber.
Reg. No,
of Tree.
426
440
478
480
495
5i2
514
526
858
859
Experiment V.
MORNING.
Working
Registered
Girth at
Mode
of
Date.
Amount.
Times
Tapped.
Total
Average
Comparative
Yield
Number.
3 feet
from Ground.
Incision.
Ounces.
Yield.
Yield
per Tree.
per inch of Girth
at 3 feet
Remarks.
from Ground.
Ft. in.
Nov.
22
*
1904.
V.
4
Herring-bone.
24
26
1 51
17
Group II.
4 6f
Every other day.
29
Dec.
*5*
4 9 i
1
22f
1
3
I8i
4 8
6
214
S
l 7 i
'
12
16J
4 8f
4 7
14
16
18
20^
2of
IS
24
335s ozs.
2 °7? lbs.
lbs. 2. 1 2
ozs.
Over ^ ounce.
20
*5i
4 9
22
16
4 7 t
24
Hf
27
9i
4 nf
29
11
31
Jan.
4
I2|
1
4 io|
10
1905.
Aggregate
6
9
1 1
I of
Girth ..
47 5ft
7
7i
12
8f
f i |
* j -
IS
6f
+
£
t Each tree between 4 feet 6 inches and $ feet girth,
Experiment V,
evening.
j
Comparative
Registered
Mode
Amount.
Average
Yield
per inch of Girth
at 3 feet
from Ground.
Remarks,
Reg. No.
of Tree.
Working
Girth at
of
Date.
Times
Total
Yield
Number.
3 feet
from Ground.
Incision.
Ounces.
Tapped.
Yield.
per Tree.
Ft. in.
Nov,
#
ti
2*
520
r
I 4 a
Herring-bone.
■ 14
4
530
1 4 *
Every oI?her day.
16
4 l
18
4 a
531
1 io£
21
4
537
1 8 i
23
4
25
4 a
545
I
Group I.
1 9 £
28
4
546
1 ii|
30
3 l
IS
52J ozs.
5 i ozs .
Over £ ounce.
547
1 iof
Dec.
ni 1 lbs.
J i6
552
1 5 i
2
5
3
3
557
„2
7
4 |
10
2%
565
1 io£
!3
if
'
Aggregat
Girth ..
e
17 3 *t
15
Ji
1
* Nearly dry rubber. t Each tree under a feet girth.
Ti
109
Jg. N
Tree
568
570:
574
578
580
581
596
601
623
624
Experiment V.
evening.
Registered
Girth at
3 feet
from Ground
Ft. in.
I nf
I gi
1 10
1 nf
1 9I
18. 5 f
Mode
of
Incision.
Herring-bone.
Every other day.
Date.
Nov.
12
15
17
19
22
24
26
29
Dec.
1
3
6
8
12
14
16
Nearly dry rubber.
Amount,
Ounces.
3
3*
3i
4f
3
2i
2 |
3f
‘if
3f
Zk
2
if
if
if
Times
Tapped.
Total
Average
Yield
Yield.
per Tree.
IS
40 ozs.=
2f lbs.
Comparative
_ Yield
per inch of Girth
at 3 feet
from Ground.
Remarks.
4 ozs.
Under f ounce.
f Each tree betw,
r .een 1 fo^t 5 inc^gg aad,* feet girth.
on
Experiment v.
EVENING.
Keg. No
of Tree.
Working
Number.
Registered
Girth at
3 feet
from Ground.
Mode
of
Incisicn.
Date.
Amount.
Ounces,
Times
Ta Pped.
Total
Yield.
Average
Yield
per T ree.
Comparative
Yield
per inch of Girth
, at 3 feet
from Ground.
6?3
% 4
7*3
718
734
74 b
749
75 1
7 5 2
824
f
c y> ■
II. .
Group I.
Ft. in.
2 5 *
2 5*
2 $h
2 5 *
2 2^
2 2i
2 4 i
2 6
Herring-bone.
t
Every other day.
1
Nov.
18
21
23
25
28
30
Dec.
2
5
7
10
13
15
*
1
i£
31
4
4 i
4 *
4
3 i
3 &
2l
3^
2
17
47* oas.
2 ^ lbs.
7^
4 fo ozs.
Under £ ounce.
18
1
2 3i
20
if
■ - : '
Aggregate
Girth ...
23 zof f
22
24
2
if
■ 1 1
f ' : n T
27
2f
— — ;
. t
* Nearly dry rubber. t Each tree "between 2 feet and 2 feet 6 inches girth.
( '
Remarks.
Ill
f
Experiment V.
EVENING.
Reg. No.
of Tree.
Working
Number.
Registered
Girth at
3 feet
from Ground.
Mode
of
Incision.
Date.
Amount.
Ounces.
1
Times
Tapped.
Total
Yield.
Average
Yield
per Tree.
Comparative
Yield
per inch of Girth
at 3 feet
from Ground.
Remarks.
762
765
770
781
783
786
804
808
809
81S
h ;
r
11.
Group ,
II.
Aggregate
Girth ..
Ft. in.
2 4f
2
2 3i
2 2\
2 2f
2 o|
2 4*
2 i£
2 2
2 6
22 81 f
Herring-bone.
Every other day.
Nov.
19
22
24
26
29
Dec.
1
3
6
8
12
14
17
iy
21
23
26
28
*
1
2
4
5
3*
2\
2
34
4$
2i
3i
1
at
24
it
it
3i
17
464 ozs.
2 lbs.
l6
4- ozs.
^10
Under i oance.
112
j
* Nearly dry rubber. ^ Eaci » tree between 2 feet and 2 feet 6 inches girth-
112
eg. ^
f Tre
614
615
616
636
649
650
653
661
663
672
Experiment V,
EVEN ING.
m
III.
Group I,
A p-£f rebate
Registered
Girth at
, 3 feet
from Ground.
Ft. in.
2 8
2 7
2 io£
2 si
2 ioi
2 7f
2 61-
2 6\
2 II
2 6 %
26 104 f
Mode
of
Incision.
Date.
Herring-bone.
Every other day.
Nov.
11
14
16
18
21
23
25
28
30
Dec.
2
5
7
10
13
15
19
21
23
26
Amount
Ounces.
3!
5s
6i
6i
8 *
7f
9
4a
7
4
5i
3^
3*
4i
3
Tim e „
Tapped.
Total
Yield.
Average
Yield
per Tree.
Comparative
Yield
per inch of Girth
at 3 feet
from Ground.
Remarks.
r 9 loofozs.
4'b,
10 ozs.
Over 4 ounce.
* Neariy dry rubber. t Each tree between 2 feet 6 inches and 3 feet girth.
y. No.
Tree.
678
683
689
692
703
704
705
7ii
725
737
Experiment V.
EVENING.
Registered
Girth at
3 feet
from Ground.
Mode
of
Incision.
Ft. in.
2 iof
2 8 f
2 7
2 roi
2 6 *
2 7*
2 l \
2 8 f
2 6 J
2 5 t
26 |
1 Amount !
Date. Times
Ounces. Tapped.
Herring-bone.
Every other day.
Nov.
12
15
17
19
22
24
26
29
Dec.
12
14
17
20
22
24
27
3^
4*
4i
4t
4
Si
4
5i
4
3t
4i
Si
3i
3i
3i
2i
4i
4
3i
Total
1 Comparative
Average j Yield
Yield per inch of Girth
Yield. jperTree.]
at 3 feet
from Ground.
19
78! Ozs.
4TT lbs -
7to ozs '
. lb s. j About * ounce.
4 16
+ Each tree between a feet 6 inches and 3 feet girth.
Remarks.
Nearly dry rubber.
t Crept in through error.
g. No.
Tree.
227
235
254
262
285
286
295
303
334
339
Experiment V.
evening.
Registered
Mode
Date.
Amount.
Total
Average
Girth at
of
Ounces.
Yield
3 feet
from Ground.
Incision.
Tapped.
Yield.
per Tree.
Nov.
*
Ft. in.
18
8
21
6
3 iof
Herring-bohe.
23
ill
25
13I
3 IOi
Every other day.
28
i5i
30
17*
3 7
Dec.
2
14
3 6*
5
14
3 7 i
7
13
10
12
'
3 9*
1 3
Hi
l S
I3i
18
9l
24
237I ozs
3
20
22
7l
9f
14^ lbs.
3 8
24
7f
27
9
3 11
\
29
71
30
7f
3 9
Jan.
7i
4
37 lit
6
5
9
4i
1 1
4i
4i
1
13
Comparative
Yield
ier inch of Girt!
at 3 feet
from Ground.
Over | ounce.
1904.
1905.
* Nearly dry rubber, t Each tree between 3 feet 6 inches and 4 feet girth.
Remarks.
No.
Tree.
I
361
363
370
379
39<5
398
404
406
407
428
Registered
Girth at
3 feet
from Ground.
Ft. in.
4 O
3 7
3 8
3 9 i
3 9 h
3 < 5 *
3 7 l
3 .6*
3 8
3 7 k
36 9 if
Experiment V.
EVENING.
Mode
of
Incision.
Date.
'
Amount |
Ounces, |
Times
Tapped.
Total
Yield .
Average
Yield
per Tree.
Comparative
Yield
per inch of Girth !
at 3 feet
from Ground, i
Remarks.
Herring-bone.
Every other day.
Nov.
19
22
24
26
29
Dec.
3
0
8
12
14
*
7 i
6*
15
17
17*
17
10^
13 *
7f
* 3 l
H*
'
1904.
t
i 7
19
21
23
26
28
3 °
Jan.
3
5
7
10
12
1 *4
1 Si
u
8i
74
7 i
7 i
71
7
61
51
54
51
5
24
24O4- OZ S.
15 rfdbs.
1 lbs.
8 ozs.
Over ^ ounce.
1905.
* Nearly dry rubber. t Each tree between 3 feet 6 inches and 4 feet girth.
Experiment V.
evening.
Reg. No.
of Tree.
Working
Number.
Registered
Mode
Amount.
TVit-il
Average
Comparative
Yield
Girth at
3 feet
from Ground.
of
Incision.
Date.
Ounces.
Times
Tapped.
Yield.
"Yield
per Tree.
per inch of Girth
at 3 feet
from Ground.
Remarks.
Ft.
in.
Nov.
*
:
'.7
18
sk
543
r
4
9 k
Herring-bone.
21
5 k
Every other day.
23
1 3 i
583
4
8
25
* 5 3
631
28
I3i
4
H
3°
15 *
Dec.
634
4
Si
2
16^
684
1
5
12*
v . J
4
8 i
7
9 k
687
10
Group I.
4
8
-
13
15
13
13
24
277-2 ozs.
1 78 lbs.
1. 1 1 —
10
About ^ ounce.
696
4
18
7*
lbs.
1
20
io£
700
4
9
22
I2f
24
9 *
707
4
7
27
12^
9t
29
i3i
~
727
l
4
3i
Jan.
4
8
-
Aggregate
—
TO
Girth ...
46
ioif-
6
10^
9
1 r
7i
I3i
-
—
)
_
13
i3i
•
* Nearly dry rubber. t Each tree between 4 feet 6 inches and* feet girth.
Experiment V,
evening.
Reg. No. Working
of Tree. , Number.
731
735
743
746
763
777
778
823
842
851
V.
Group II.
Aggregate
Girth ...
Registered
Mode
Amount.
Girth at
of
Date.
j feet
Incision.
Ounces.
from Ground.
j
Nov.
*
Ff- in.
19 !
6f
22 !
I if
4 7
Herring-bone
24
16
26
I of
4 8
Every other day.
29
13
Dec.
4 61
1 -j
19*
3 !
10
4 9
6
13
8
9$
4 S|
1.2
*3i
14
I4i
4 9i
17
12*
19
8f
«W-
00
'd-
21
9
23
7 h
4 7 i
26
7f
28
10
4 l\
3°
iof
Jan-
4 7l
3
5
7
9
9 s
7^
O 1
00 J
10
7f
1 12
14
8f
Times
Tapped.
Total
Yield.
Average
Yield
per Tiee.
Comparative
Yield
per inch of Girth
at 3 feet
from Ground.
I 2 3-
24 252! oz.sJr.9 — lbs. Under | ounce.
U-srW'
Remarks.
1904.
1905.
* Nearly dry rubber.
t Each tree between 4 feet 6 inches and $ feet girth.
Experiment V. Result.
MORNING. g EVENING.
Working
Number.
Groups.
Aggregate, Girth.
Total Yield.
Working
Number.
Groups.
Aggregate Girth, j
4
Total
Yield.
Feet.
Inches.
Ibs.
ozs.
Feet.
Inches.
lbs.
ozs.
I
r
1
1.7
9
2
14
I
I
17
3
4 *
”
II
>
17
3 a
2
I 4 i
)»
II
)
18
5
2
8
..
,
22
3 ’
4
12^
II
I
i
23
I of
2
1 Si
>’
II
>
22
10
5
I2f
>'
11
i
22
8*
2
I 4 a
III
I
7
27
w 6 }
9
4 s
III
I
26
lOf
6
4 t
”
II
i
27
. 3
7
I2f
*
II
)
26
61
4
141
[V -
1
I
\
37
10
16
2i
IV
I
\
37
if
14
1 3 a
■»
II
37
4 i
17
”
II
)
36
9 i
15
of
V
1
47
3 i
21
1 2.j
V
I
7
46
IOi
17
si
II
47
St
20
1 5 a
II
j
46
8
15
I2f
Total Girth
304
10}
109
IOl
Aggregate Girth
303
2
85
Morning, ioo trees, aggregate girth, 304 feet iof inches, produced 109 lbs. 103 ozs.^
> Dry rubber.
Evening, 100 „ ,, „ 3°3 fee t 2 inches „ 85 lbs. 14 ozs, )
120
Rainfall from October to December , igo4»
October.
N ovember.
December.
Date.
1 Inches.
Parts.
Date
Inches.
Parts, j
Date.
Inches.
■
<2
l-l
tS
I
l lS
1
...
22
i
...
1
2
2
...
54
2
1 ^
3
...
22
3
...
64
3
1 •"*"
4
1
00
4
... .
76
4
...
45
5
05
5
1
38
5
...
56
6
6
I
36
6
...
7
...
7
04
7
25
8
...
8
10
8
30
9
...
9
...
9
IO
....
10
10
...
ii
44
1 1
12
11
71
0
12
46
12
...
12
71
13
74
13
23
13
25
14
24
14
H
46
i 5
37
15
IS
...
48
16
16
...
16
2 1
50
17
...
17
17
63
18
04
18
...
21
18
06
19
12
19
...
19
...
74
20
5 i
20
...
20
...
21
21
...
...
21
22
...
22
...
22
23
...
,23
90
23
...
...
2 1
...
24
...
24
...
25
11
25 <
...
25
85
26
06
26
...
26
...
27
5 o
27
...
27
...
...
28
07
28
...
...
28
29
*54
29
2 '
90
29
...
30
...
30
...
80
30
...
...
3 i
1
83
3 i
42
Total ...
7
48
T otal . . .
1020
Total ...
9
98
1
[
1 2 1
THE DRYING OF RUBBER.
I cannot say that I altogether like the method Mr. BURGESS pro-
poses for the drying of rubber. Calcium chloride is at the best a
very expensive material to use in this connection, and with its use
comes the danger of accidental contamination with the rubber. Very
great care would require to be exercised that not a particle of it got
into contact ’with the rubber, for the evil resulting would be very
great. Of the two methods he proposes, certainly the circulation of
dried air is by far the better, but this could be obtained more safely
and more economically than by the use of calcium chloride. J have
no intimate knowledge of how careful the native labourers are, but
from what I have. heard, I would be disposed to think that sooner or
later accidents would happen and a batch of rubber be spoiled by
admixture with this chemical. 1 still remain of opinion that the
system of drying in vacuum is by far the best suited to the needs of
the planter. As Mr. BURGESS is in a much better position than I
am to conduct practical experiments on this, I would gladly give him
any details and help that I can. So far as I can see, no difficulties
stand in the way, and the drying is brought about so rapidly as to be
economical, and the machine so arranged as to be practically “ fool-
proof. I shall be glad if Mr. BuRGESS will communicate with
me in regard to this and other matters.
Sir W. THISEL I ON DYER.
India-Rubber Journal^ Vol. XXIX, p. ipj.
I do not think that there is much fear, as suggested by Sir WIL-
LIAM Thiselton Dyer, that the calcium chloride process will in
any way cause risk of injury to the rubber during the course of
drying. We have here been using the chemicarin a make-shift
way in small trays put into drawers with the rubber, and cannot say
that even handled by Malay boys we have had any serious accidents
with it. In cases where a little slopped over the rubber it produced
a patch of stickiness. If the calcium chloride is cleaned off imme-
diately it does no harm. If left on, hpwever, it destroys the rubber
by making a sticky soft patch. Bi3t, in a manufactory on a large
scale, where the calcium chloride would be in pans, well away a’nd
above the rubber, there need be no risk. The whole apparatus
could easily be made fool-proof, and there would be no more risk
than from fire or any other catastrophe. The .expense is not great
as the calcium chloride is quite cheap and practically lasts for ever
except for a little accidentally wasted by overset or something of
that sort. 53
However, as long as smoked rubber fetches the same price as
white biscuits unsmoked, smoking is «ertainly simpler and about a:
quick a method of preparation.
But, it will be strange, indeed, if the engineers cannot invent £
poSle aP tfme atUS Wlth unheated air to dr y the rabber in the quickest
6 !(«
Editor .
122
f Ceylon Times , March 8th, 1905.)
CEYLON RUBBER FROM THE
MANUFACTURER’S POINT OF VIEW.
Ceylon Inferior to Brazilian Rubber.
Mr. G. C. S. Hodgson, of Lynnthorpe, Nuwara Eliya, sends us
a very interesting report on a small sample of rubber which he sent
home to the Director of one of the largest manufacturing rubber
companies in Scotland. Mr. HODGSON writes : — “ We hear a good
deal of brokers’ reports, but a report from the actual manufacturer
not often. The latter part of the report, I think, most interesting,
comparing, as it does Malay, Ceylon, and Brazilian Para. We in
Ceylon have, up to the present, considered our rubber the best, but
not so the manufacturer, The rubber 1 sent was from Somerset
Estate, Gampola ”
The report is as follows : —
“I now return parts of the two samples you recently handed to-me.
That marked “A” is the best colour as you will see for yourself, and
for some manufacturing purposes would be preferable to “B, ” but
for toughness the latter is the better of the two.
I regret that our efforts to make a manufactured sample of each
with the balance has failed, owing to the quantity being too small
for manipulation, as I was anxious to have showed you them made
up in this manner, and also some tensile tests.
Both, however, are excellent quality, and in that respect similar
to what is now being regularly imported.
The price which these biscuits have recently realized in the mar-
ket has varied from 6s. to 6 s.2d. per lb., while to-day’s price of
Brazil Para is 5^. 3^. per lb.
In arriving at the dean cost to a manufacturer it would be neces-
sary to allow, say, 3 per cent, for loss on the Ceylon biscuits, and 18
per cent, on the Para.
Some few months ago, I carried out experiments to determine the
respective merits of Malay States and Ceylon biscuits as compared
with Brazil Para. Taking strips of each 3 in. long by £ in. square,
and with a load of 7! lbs., the following elongations took place : —
Malay States, gi in.; Ceylon, ioi in.; Brazilian Para, 13! in,; so
that you will see that the Brazilian Para is much superior to either
of the other two. There is not much difference between the Ceylon
and Malay, though the forme- shows up better.”
As to differences in tensility, one would much like to know more.
The short resume of the manufacturer’s letter quoted above is hardly
enough. How many samples of Malay and Ceylon rubber did he
examine and how were they prepared? The difference in tensility
may be due to age of the trees tapped or to age of the rubber.
123
Tensility is said to be increased by pulling the rubber about, and
stretching it in various directions, which may have been done in one
case and not in the other. I am inclined, however, to think that age
of trees has most to do with the tensility.
In view of the far higher prices obtained for Ceylon and Malay
rubbers cfver Para, the statement that “the opinion of ‘the' manu-
facturer is against the higher priced article" hardly seems valid. It
rather depends on what kind of manufacturer is writing. I is easy
to understand that Brazilian Para rubber may be just the thing re-
quired by a manufacturer of one class of goods, while East Indian is
preferred by another.
RUBBER SALES.
We have received a letter from HeCHT Levis and Khan stating
that four cases of Para rubber sent from the Botanic Gardens,
Singapore and made during the course of the experiments carried on
last year and part of this year fetched “the excellent all round price
of 6/ 2 per lb." This, at the date at which it was sold, February 20,
is very satisfactory. Since that date, however, we hear of still higher
rises in price, 6/6 and 6/7 having been obtained for Ceylon and
Perak rubber.
DEATH OF DR, C. WEBER.
All interested in rubber will regret to hear of the sudden death
of Dr. Carl Weber which took place on January 14th. Dr.
Weber’s work on the latex of Castilloa was the most important
contribution to the knowledge of the methods of preparation of that
rubber, and we had hoped that he would do shortly for Para rubber
what he has done for Castilloa, but these hopes have been sadly
frustrated.
SANSEVIERA ZEYLANICA.
/^ n unusually large leaf of the Murva fibre plant, Sanscviera
^tylanica, was brought to the office of the Botanic Gardens, Singa-
P or e, lately. It was a sample of a large quantity of similar leaves
found growing at Pulau Kukub, Johore, on the estate of SyED Mo-
iiammed Alsagoff.
The leaf measures 5 feet 2 inches in length and 2 inches across.
The plants had in no way been cultivated, but had perhaps more or
less accidentally got into remarkably good and rich soil. Among
Sago palms. Sanseviera Zeylanica usually gives leaves of 3 or 4
feet length at most, but it is clear that in good soil it can attain a
much greater size. — Editor,
124
NOTES ON DAMAR TAPPING PENAK.
(BALANOCARPUS MAXIMUS.)
The “ damar ” of commerce, known to the trade as Damar Mata
Kuching, is obtained principally from the Penak tree, and is col-
lected by cutting through the bark down to the cambium. The damar
begins to exude in about two days and is ready for collection in
from seven to fifteen days; some varieties of Penak give quicker and
better returns than others. The collector chips off the damar, which
has enuded, with his parang into a receptacle made from the (< Palas”
leaf, and then reopens the cuts, by cutting off a thin layer of bark.
Trees can be tapped without detriment once a fortnight, but
more frequent tapping is apt to cause premature decay of the tree,
especially if the cuts penetrate the heartwood rendering the tree
liable to attacks of fungus: also the tree should not be “ringed”
completely.
The damar exudes more freely in the dry weather.
After collection the damar is picked over by women, and gener-
ally placed on the market in two qualities.
The trade is at present in the hands of a few Chinese, who keep
prices down ; but there is little doubt but that a very much better
price could be obtained by direct shipment to Europe.
A few of the more venturesome climb the trees to collect the
damar, from the branches, where it sometimes collects in large Jumps
having exuded naturally due to some injury to the tree; but this is
a work of great danger and several fatalities have occurred.
As much as twenty-five catties can be obtained at one tapping;
from three hundred cuts, 6 " apart, if the tree is climbed, and damar
collected from the branches ; but the average yield of a tree is about
one catty per month. A good collector can get a.s much as five
catties a day, which he can dispose of to the Chinese dealers, at
prices varying from four to eight cents a catty according to quality.
S. W. MOORHOUSE.
' Kuala Pilah , 6th March , /poy.
CORRESPONDENCE.
MANGROVES IN THE DINDINGS.
District Office, Dindings,
March 14th , 190$.
The Editor,
Agricultural Bulletin.
Dear Sir, — It may be of interest in connection with Mr. Furni-
vall'S article in the Bulletin for January, on Mangrove Swamps, to
125
note the local names of the various species found in the Dindings.
They are as follows: —
Bakau akik.
Bakau Besi or Bakau Pahang, which has a very rough bark and
splits unevenly.
Bakau puteh,
Bakau Buros.
Tomoh.
Langgadei and Tengah.
These are all utilised for firewood.
Nerei, Api-api, Perapat and Terrontong are the names of species
not used for any purposes. Bakuta and Kadaku are unknown to
the Forest Department Officers, probably Terrontong is another
name for one of them.
A large quantity of Tengah bark with an admixture of Bakau
bark is used locally and exported for tanning purposes.
All the cutters here are Chinese and the general average appears
to be about 3,000 billets per mensem per man; the size of these bil-
lets is considerably less than io katties. No statistics are, however,
available on this point as the monthly pass system is. in force and no
royalty is charged on export.
I am,
Yours faithfully.
R. SCOTT,
Acting District Officer , Dindings,
THE AGRICULTURAL SHOW.
The Annual Agricultural Exhibition of the Straits Settlements
and Federated Malay States will be held in Penang at the beginning
of August this year. We shall hope to have as fine and interesting
an Exhibition as we had last year in Kuala Lumpur.
The committee of the last Exhibition and that of this year’s one
have set aside $180 each for the initial cost of the medals and
diplomas, and the Government of the Straits Settlements has ad-
vanced the same amount to be recovered later from future exhibitions
Messrs. W ATERLOW & Sons are to produce the medals and diplo-
mas.
A list of the winners of medals at the last Show is appended:—
Winners of medals at the A gri- Horticultural Show ,
Kuala Lumpur , 1904.
Div. A. Class 9 Coconuts, collection of .. Goldenhope Estate.
». » 1 7 Fibres, collection of Hogan & Co., Ltd.
» » 15 Liberian Coffee C. & R. S; Meikle.
» »> 29 Citronella Oil Tampin Estate.
» „ 30 Coconut Oil R, D’ Silva.
126
Div. A. Class 36 Black Pepper Kamuning Estate,
,, „ 45 ‘Para' Rubber (2nd prize) Sungei Rengum Estate.
„ „ 53 Sugar Canes, collection of A. Crawford.
„ „ 57 Cane Sugar Caledonia Estate.
Div. C. ,, 6 Fowls, collection of E. Farrer-Baynes.
Div. E. „ 30 Embroidery Raja Muda, L. Perak.
„ ,, 39 Photographs, collection of H. Melby,
Notice re Agri-Horticultural Show , Kuala Lumpur , 1904.
Successful competitors at the Kuala Lumpur Show, 1904, are re-
quested to note that arrangements have been made for the engraving
and sinking of a special die for the medals and diplomas ; such
medals and diplomas will be presented at the next Show to be held
in Penang in August, 1905.
c STANLEY ARDEN,
General Secretary , Experimental Plantations ,
Selangor , F. M. S.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Notices to Subscribers.
1. For the information of subscribers and others who wish to
complete their series of Bulletins, notice is given that numbers
1, 7, 8 and 9, of the old Series (1891 to T.900) and Nos. 1,8,9 ar| d
10, of New Seridfe, Vol. I (1901-1902) have been reprinted and
copies can be had by all whose subscriptions are paid up to date.
The cost to others is 50 cents a number.
2. A very large number of sub c <-riotions, even for last year, are
• jet unpaid although subscribers have xeceived more than one notice
of the delav in payment. As this entails a good deal of extra work
on the staff, subscribers arc asked to send in their subscriptions
without delay. Attention is called to the rule that all subscriptions
should be prepaid.
3. Subscribers changing their addresses are requested to give
notice to the Editor.
4. Subscribers outside t^e Peninsula will in future be charged
$3.50 per annum instead of $3 to cover postage.
Meteorological observers are asked to send in their returns to
arrive before the 10th day of the following month, if possible, so as
to be in time for going to press.
127
REGISTER OF RAINFALL AT NEGRI
SEMBILAN HOSPITALS, FOR MARCH, 1905.
Seremban.
K. Pilah.
Tampin.
Jeleb
a.
Port
Dickson.
Mantin.
%
In.
*
dcs.
In.
dcs.
In.
dcs.
In.
dcs.
In. j
dcs.
In.
dcs,
l
25
45
10
65
2
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
o
4
;;;
■
...
...
...
5
...
* . .
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
”
6
...
...
7
...
...
...
8
-I
...
...
...
»
...
...
...
9
...
...
...
IO
...
..
...
...
...
IM
. * .
il
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
12
...
...
...
...
15
...
!
...
...
13
70
...
...
...
...
...
59
14
...
5 o
...
| 4 i
...
40-
...
46
34
1
27
15
...
20
...
03
...
...
...
47
39
...
05
1 6
65
...
67
...
50
1
02
...
45
1 7
...
...
...
...
...
...
• . •
18
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
19
70
1
• 3 1
2
40
...
...
■ . •
20
...
...
...
...
35
...
26
...
21
...
...
30
...
. . .
22
...
-
...
...
...
14
05
23
...
...
...
...
...
...
1
24
...
...
...
09
...
35
...
21
...
...
25
1
9 $
•••
...
...
25
• ...
...
65
...
2 6
1
60
...
...
...
°5
1
40
...
27
...
20
...
18
...
'10
10
...
1
12
28
83
...
27
...
05
...
48
...
"02
29
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
06
30
10
...
22
10
27
31
...
...
37
...
-
'*■“
...
...
Total
7
78
4
1
33
S ■
35
3
98
2
36
4
! 53
State Surgeon’s Office, SerembAn, r VAN GEYZEL,
* 2 th A P ril > 1 9 ° 5 • Apothecary.
Hr,
128
SINGAPORE MARKET REPORT.
April, 1905.
Articles.
Coffee — Palembang -
„ Bali
Liberian
Copra
Gambier
Cube Gambier, Nos. 1 and 2
Gutta Percha, 1st quality
Medium
Lower
Borneo Rubber 1, 2, and 3
Gutta Jelutong
Nutmegs, No. 1 io’s
No. 8o's -
Mace, Banda
Amboyna
Pepper, Black
White (Sarawak)
Pearl Sago, Small
Medium
Large -
Sago Flour, No. 1
No. 2
Flake Tapioc'a, Small
Medium
Pearl Tapioca, Small
Medium
Bullet
Tin
Quantit
sold.
y Highest
price.
Lowest
price.
Tons.
$
$
.i..
31.00
31.00
1
22.25
22.00
138
' 26.00
24.00
j 5*846
8.45
7-80
2,843
9.00
8.60
270
13-2 5
12.12!
,
200.00
1 50.00
...
100.00
90.00
...
80.00
19.00
...
145.00
94.00
...
7.75
7.25
37-50
34-00
...
58.00
57.00
....
82.00
80.00
...
67.00
59.00
1)657 „
26.37!
25.70 ^
250
38.50
37-75
30
4-75
4.60
...
4- ;
)0
...
5-5
;o
3,705
3.20
3-05
280
r.io j
0.90
416
4-35
4-30
70
4.60
4.60
0
0
4.40
4-30
Os
00
4,15 J
4.15
65
5-62^
4.80
3,275
81.62^
79.50
129
Export Telegram to Europe and America.
Fortnight ending 15th April, igo 5 .
Wired at 6 p.m.
on 17th April, 1905-
Tons.
Tin
Str.
Singapore & Penang to United Kingdom &/ or
1,990
Do.
Do.
U. S. A.
177
Do.
>y
Do.
Continent
325
Gambier *
tt
Singapore
Glasgow
...
Do.
» )
Do.
London
25
Do.
Do.
Liverpool •
So
Do.
Do.
U. K. &/or Continent
270
Cube Gambier
> *
Do,
United Kingdom
40
Black Pepper
r
Do.
Do.
55
Do.
Penang.
Do.
40
White Pepper
n
Singapore
Do.
no
Do.
n
Penang
Do.
Pearl Sago
Singapore
Do,
35
Sago Flour
Do.
London
225
Do. .
j >
Do.
Liverpool
1,200
Do.
>>
Do.
Glasgow
250
Tapioca Flake
Singapore & Penang
United Kingdom
225
T. Pearl & Bullets
Do.
Do.
240
Tapioca Flour
Penang
Do.
400
Gutta Percha
i >
Singapore
Do.
5 o
Buffalo Hides
,,
Do.
Do.
90
Pineapples
Do.
Do, cases
14,250
Gambier
’ 1
Do.
U. S. A.
375
Cube Gambier
n
Do.
Do.
...
Black Pepper
ft
Do.
Do.
90
Do.
> )
Penang
Do.
...
White Pepper
hi
Singapore
Do.
25
Do.
n
Penang
Do.
T. Flake & Pearl
J}
Singapore & Penang
Do.
10
Nutmegs
) )
Do,
Do.
4 * .
Sago Flour
n
Singapore
Do.
Pineapples
*i
. Do.
Do. * cases
3,250
Do.
J J
Do,
Continent „
600
Gambier
Do.
S. Continent
25
Do.
Do.
N. Continent
125
Cube Gambier
Do.
Continent
40
Black Pepper
J»
Do. , *
S. Continent
140
Do.
J >
Do.
N. Continent
AS
Do.
))
Penang
S. Continent
10
Do.
1 1
Do,
N. Continent
...
White Pepper
j »
Singapore
S. Continent
20
Do.
Do.
N, # Continent
50
Do.
y 1
Penang
S. Continent
Do.
n
Do.
N. Continent
10
Copra
M
Singapore & Penang
Marseilles
1,225
Do.
•
n
Do.
Odessa
Do.
J *
Do.
Other S, Continent
280
Do.
Do.
N. Continent
800
Sago Flour
n
Do,
Continent
725
Tapioca Flake
> i
Singapore & Penang
Do.
90
Do. Pearl
1 ^
Do.
Do.
40
Copra
Singapore
England
130
Gambier
Str.
Singapore
U. S. A.
Cube Gambier
n
Do.
Do.
T. Flake & Pearl
>>
Do.
Do.
Pago Flour
,,
Do.
Do.
Gambier
n
Do.
S. Continent
Copra
it
Do.
Marseilles
Black Pepper
Do.
S. Continent
White Pepper
»?
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
U. S. A.
Pineapples
V
Do.
Do.
Nutmegs
Do.
Do.
Black Pepper
> >
Do.
Do.
Do.
Penang
Do.
White Pepper
) •
Do.
Do.
T. Flake & Pearl
n
Do.
Do.
Nutmegs
Do
Do.
850 tons Gambier
750 „ Black Pepper J
Contracts.
Export Telegram to Europe and America.
Fortnight ending 30th Aprils 1 go 5 .
Wired at 4.30 p.m. on 1st May, 1905.
Tons.
Tons
Tin Str. Singapore and Penang to United Kingdom &/o r 1,186
Do.
„ Do.
U. S. A.
575
Do.
„ Do.
Continent
360
Gambier
,, Singapore
Glasgow
T..
Do.
„ Do.
London
Do.
„ Do.
Liverpool
...
Do.
„ Do.
U. K. &;'or Continent
J 5°
Cube Gambier
„ Do.
United Kingdom
S
Black Pepper
„ Do.
Do.
55
Do.
„ Penang
Do.
40
White Pepper .
,, Singapore.
Do.
70
Do.
j) Penang
Do.
20
Pearl Sago
„ Singapore
Do.
25
Sago Flour
„ Do.
London
120
Do.
„ Do.
Liverpool
Do.
„ Do.
Glasgow
5o
Tapioca Flake
„ Singapore & Penang
Unit®d Kingdom
260
T. Pearl & Bullets
„ Do.
Do.
roo
Tapioca Flour
,, Penang
Do.
ICO
Gutta Percha
„ Singapore
J >0.
85
Buffalo Hides
„ Do.
Do.
55
Pineapples
„ Do.
Do. cases
9,000
Gambier
„ Do.
U. S. A.
700
Cube Gambier
Do.
Do.
110
Black Pepper
„ Do.
Do.
400
Do.
1, Penang
Do.
200
White Pepper
,, Singapore
Do.
10
Do.
„ Penang
Do.
...
T. Flake & Pearl
,, Singapore & Penang
Do.
65
N utmegs
„ Do.
Do.
6
Sago Flour
„ Singapore
Do.
125
Pineapples
Str.
Singapore
U. S. A. cases
Tons.
1,250
Do.
Do.
Continent „
3,000
Gambler
Do.
S. Continent
...
Do.
Do.
N. Continent
325
Cube Gambier
Do.
Continent
xo
Black Pepper
Do.
S. Continent
...
Do.
Do.
N. Continent
310
Do.
Penang
S. Continent
10
Do.
Do.
N. Continent
...
White Pepper
f)
Singapore
S. Continent
35
Do.
Do.
N. Continent
55
Do.
n
Penang
S. Continent
...
Do.
Do.
N. Continent
...
Copra
Singapore & Penang
Marseilles
500
Do.
Do.
Odessa
...
Do.
Do.
Other South Continent
100
Do.
Do.
N. Continent
1,700
Sago Flour
n
Do.
Continent
43°
Tapioca Flake
n
Singapore & Penang
Do.
34°
Do. Pearl
it
Do.
Do.
225
Copra
n
Singapore
England
...
Gambier
Str.
Do.
U. S. A.
Cube Gambier
Do.
Do.
T. Flake and Pearl
a
Do.
Do.
Sago Flour
Do.
Do.
Gambier
Do.
S. Continent
Copra
Do.
Marseilles
Black Pepper
Do.
S. Continent
White Pepper
Do.
Do.
Do.
n
Do.
U. S. A.
Pineapples
„
Do.
Do.
Nutmegs
,,
Do.
Do.
Black Pepper
,,
Do.
Do.
...
Do.
Penang
Do.
White Pepper
*
Do.
Do.
T. Flake & Pearl
Do.
Do.
Nutmegs
>,
Do.
Do.
850 tons Gambler 1
600 ,, Black Pepper )
Contracts.
Singapore.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings for the month of April, igog.
Kandang Kerbau Hospital Observatory,
Singapore, 13th May , /905.
A. B. LEICESTER,
Meteorological Observer.
D. K. McDOWfeLL,
Principal Civil Medical Officer , S.S.
Prevailing Direction of Winds.
Penang.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings in the Prison Observatory for April , 1905.
District.
Criminal Prison Observatory ...
Colonial Surgeon’s Office,
Penang, 8th May, iQOf
2
3
in
V)
O
u
P*
II
c o
Ins.
29-90 1
3
Temperature.
°F
1498
CP
Vh
Q
c
nJ
<u
80*8 90-7
F
74’5
bJD
c
rt
Dh
°F
1&2
3
PQ
c
a;
%
°F
757
Hygrometer.
<D
H
Ui
3
O
Cu
CtJ
>
£
<u
Q
°F t °F
•796 70-81
"g
p
o
O
bo
<D
t-4
70
p
"5
p 4
4~>
o
H
Ins.
;
I
N.W. 9'45
Ins.
r6 5
M. E. SCRIVEN,
Assistant Surgeon.
G. D. FREER,
For Colonial Surgeon, Penang .
Greatest Rainfall during 24 hours.
Disirict.
Malacca.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings for the month of April, igop.
Durian Daun Hospital
4 -»
rt
1-1
3
tn
Temperature.
Hygrometer.
c/i
03
'0-
£
>
be
fa
■
;
G
O
"3
c
1
•"O
u
£
0
J-H
4 -»
<D
£
3
m
=1
CP
-O
3
fa
a
.0
"E 3
0
V
Vh
-2
3
0 ■
rt a
fafa
a 0
rt «
<u co
3
£
>■*
Q
c
3
0
£
J
*><
nJ
£
3
g
*5
ai
fcJD
a
a
nj
aj
H
in
3
0
a.
4 -»
_P
'O
fa
£
|3
£
5
bp
*5
>
rt
M— 1
.£
*3
•fa
al
fa
to £
-M 3
efl O
s
s
§
S
Pi
<u
rt
c>
a;
Q
fa
<u
»—
fa
0
H
OJ 2 =
O
Ins.
°F
°F
°F
°F
fa
0
°F
Ins.
°F
%
Ins.
Ins.
29-829
160*1
83-2
89’5
74‘5
14*9
80*3
•998
7*7
00
■^1
E.
8 '34
2*02
Colonial Surgeon’s Office,
Malacca , 21st May , /905.
F. B. CROUCHER,
Colonial Surgeon, Malacca.
4 ^
Perak.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings in the various Districts of the State for the month of A pfil* i 9°5-
District.
Mean Barometrical
Pressure at 32 0 Fah.
Maximum in Sun.
Temperature.
hygrometer.
1
1
1
lion of
Total Rainfall.
Greatest Rainfall during
24 hours.
Mean Dry Bulb. j
1
S
3
s
‘E
rt
2
Minimum.
1
Range.
Mean Wet Bulb.
i Vapour Tension.'
I
Dew Point.
Humidity.
Prevailing Direc
Winds.
Taiping
I.S4
82-17
92
72
20
78*12
909
83
19-13
1*92
Kuala Kangsar
8 i -39
94
7i
23
76-41
843
78 1 ...
7*96
2*75
Batu Gajah
162
8 1 *9 1
93
7 1
22
77*72
894
83
12*36
2*09
Gopeng
80-75
93
62
31
76*45
854
82
8-37
2 $ 1
Ipoh . .
81*93
94
7i
2 3
77-80
898
83
T3 1
1 *22
Kampar
70
...
i8*i 7
3*3 2
Teluk Anson
82-20
92
72
20
77*97
893
82 ! ...
7'i5
1 -69
Tapah
...
81-90
94
69
25
77-02
864
80 ' ...
9-22
i-45
Parit Buntar
8273
91
63
28
77*79
886
79
7‘43
1-65
Bagan Serai
83-01
9 l
70
21
78*10
896
79 | •••
901
1 02
Selama
82-43
9*
72
19
78*40
918
...
83 1 ...
22*02
4 -I 5
State Surgeoir’s Office,
Taiping, 17th May , ipcj.
M. J. WRIGHT,
State Surgeon .
Pahang.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings in the various Districts of the State for the month of March, tg o S .
district.
Kuala Lipis
Raub
Bentong
Temerloh
Pekan
Kuala Kuantan
Sungei Lembing
a
<u
<u
cl
cti rt
PQ
c °
<u CO
Kuala Lipis,
25th April , 1905,
in
3
E
3
E
aj
Temperature.
rO
'a
PQ
Q
c
rf
<d
1
94-0
...
92*0
...
93 *o
... 1
94-0
93*0
...
91*0
89-0
i)
bo
c
ctS
GC
^Q’O ; 19-19
66 o j 18*07
; 18*03
70*0 ; 17*67
70*° ,3-4
66 *o r 6 - 7
6 3'5 25 * 5
Hygrometer.
PQ
<u
H
I-.
u
0
01
aj
>
.£
’o
Oh
<D
Q
E
T 3
C
bo
c
>
<L>
3
cti
oi
-4
o
H
4‘H
428
3*69
2*38
3-2
1*82
4’05
Tt-
M
bo
3
■“0
Pi
V 2
Si 3
rt O
O
1*83
1*70
175
*88
1*81
•90
2*01
Muar
Abstract of Meteorological Readings for the month of April, ipog.
District.
Lanadron Estate
CL,
a
o
d
CQ
C rC
<U H,
e
3
GO
£
a
CQ
Q
c
rt
a;
8 i c
Temperature.
E
3
£
rt
91
72 l
V
bn
c
cti
19
3
CQ
Hygrometer.
75 °
H
o
a
rt
>
O
CL
£
<u
Q
"C
e
Q
bn
c
■
>
CD
Lh
CL
JS
c
as
CtC
o
H
9*79
3
o
w
bn
c
*£
3
T3
.5
rt
<D
>1
O
2-48
C*i
S»
Muar, 8th May, 1905.
ROGER FEARS.
The Duff Development Company, Limited, Kelantan.
District.
Kuala Lebir
Kuala Kelantan
Surgeon's Office,
May ffih, 1905,
Temperature.
f
Raipfal).
1
Mean Maximum.
i
1 Mean Minimum.
Mean Range.
Total Rainfall.
Greatest Rainfall during
24 hours.
°F
°F
°F
Inches.
Inches.
9r6
7 0-4
20’2
3‘03
i’4i
88-5
73-6
14*9
00
co
1— 1
74
J°hn d. gimlette,
\
'
00
OQ
Surgeon.
METEOROLOGICAL DBSERVATIONS.
Table Showing the Daily Results of the Reading of Meteorological Observations taken
at the General Hospital, Seremban, For the Month of March, 3.905.
'mperature of radiation.
1 Temperature of
radiation.
Temperature
of evaporation.
Computed
vapour tension.
Relative
humidity.
3Ioudso to 10.;
Cloud
and weather
initials.
Ra: ,
1
1
1
G
U3 .
nj C
Direction.
I
f*
)
g oJ
Jjt
Date.
■
0) V
rt
j
9
15
£3
3
e
O
c cd
9
i5
9
15
9
15
9
15
9
i5
21 1
9
15
21
H
H
Mean.
B
‘K
a
J
"S
a |
Range.
a
3
c n
§ 'O
Q
Grass.
u U
its 1
s *
H
H !
H
H
Mean.
H 1
H
j Mean.
H
H
Mean.
H
H
H ,
H
H
H
<8
"0
c
1
O
O
O
0
0 1
O
O
0
° '
"
O
in. j
in.
in.
|
O :
0
^ 1
I
i
77
86 |
81.5
89
72 1
17
167
78
..
S.E.
S.E.
73-6
72-8
73‘ 2
0*829
o'8o8
0-818
S 9
64
76-5
0
3
1°
B
C
R
-25
2
76
86 |
81
88
73 !
15
.05
77
_
E. !
S.E. 1
74'3
712
727
■848 |
*855
•851
94
68
81 '
,3
0
o
C
B
B
3 1
78 1
88 |
83
89
73
16
163
74
E.
N.E.
71*2
66 7
68-9
76S j
•655
710
79
49
64
0
0
0
B
B
B
4
78
86
82
88
72
16
164
76
E,
E. 1
66*1
67 :p
6;
■642
•681
•661
67
55
61
0
0
0
B
B
B
5
82
87
84-5
89
69
20
164
75
E.
E.
67*
68-9 1
67-9
-662
■708
•685
60
55
5.7*5 |
0
0
0
. B
B
B
6
81
s 9
85
90
69
21
165
75
E.
N.E. |
67-6
67'8 ;
677
•675
*677
•676
64
49
56-5 !
0
0
0
B
B
B
7
81
88 j
84-5
90
74
16
163
73
N.E.
N.E.
67-6
66' 7
67- 1
•675
■855
765
64
49
56-5
0
0
0
B
B '
B
8
82
9° ,
86
91
70
21
175
84
S.E.
N.E. .
67-
68 8
679
■662
•704
■6S3
60
50
55 j
0
0
0
B
B
B
9
79
89 !
84
90
70
20
167
77
N.E.
N.E. '
68-9
66-2
67‘5
■707
.640
•673
71
46
58-5 i
0
0
0
B
B
B
10
82
88
85
89
72
17
160
7i
E.
E.
68 ’6
667
67 -6
•70I
■855
778
64
49
56*5
0
0
0
B
B
B
ii
84
88
86
90
7 i
19
165
75
E.
E.
67*4
O'
o\
vj
67*
■671
■855
763
57
49
53
0
0
0
B
B
B
12
83
87
85
90
72 1
18
163
73
...
E.
S.E.
71 ‘3
72-2
7i7
■7 66
.792
779
68
61
64*5
0
0
0
B
B
B
13
81
79
80
92
73
19
166
74
E.
E,
7°*9
75-6
73'2
757
■888
■822
7 2
90
81
0
10
5
B
10
C
70
H
78
87
82*5
89
74
15
167
78
E.
S.
74'6
7 5’5
75‘
•S57
•884
•870
89
69
79
3
5
]0
C
C
R
•50
IS
77
87
82
89
72
*7
160
7i
E.
S E.
73 ’6
75*5
74‘5
•829
•884
•856
89
69
79
0
0
0
B
B
B
.20
16
81
82
I Sl ’5
90
71
19
i S 8
68
N.E.
s.w.
74:2
787
7®‘4
■849
s 97 8
■913
80
90
85
0
10
lO
B
R
R
.65
17
1 79
87
83
88
2
J
16
i57
69
E.
N.E.
73*9
73 ‘9
73'9
'839
■837
•838
85
65
75
0
0
0
B
B
B
18
80
89
84-5
89
74
; 15
i57
68
...
E.
N.E.
73'3
727
73'
*820
•So 1
•810
80
58
69
0
0
0
B
B
B
•7°
19
80
88
84
90
74
16
iS7
i 6 7
N.E,
S.E.
73-3
74-9
74' 1
•820
•865
•842
8°
65
72*5
0
5
Io
B
R
B
20
81
89
85
90
74
1 16
155
1 65
...
S.E,
S.E.
74'2
76.
75'i
•849
■895
•872
80
65
72*5
o
0
0
B
B
B
21
82
91
86-5
91
74
17
16;
74
...
E.
1 E.
73-6
73 ‘3.
'33
•830
■816
•823
76
56
66
!■ 0
5
5
B
C
C
22
80
89
84*5
90
74
16
155
<55
. . .
N.E.
' E.
737
711
72 '2
•820
! 757
•788
80
55
67*5
1 0
0
5
B
B
C
23
83
90
1 86-5
9i
74
17
163
72
, , ,
E.
E.
71 '3
737
7 2 ‘5
■766
1 ’833
799
68
59
63*5
0
0
0
B
B
B
24
82
87
| 84’ 5
89
75
14
155
66
E.
E.
7 2 "
"72-2
J2'l
•785
1 -792
•788
72
61
I
66-5
3
5
0
C
C
B
25
79
88
83-5
89
73
16
137
48
S.E.
S.E.
I 73'9
/
744
.839
•865
•852
85
65
75
0
5
10
B
C
R
i-95
26
77
84
80 ’5
p 5
73
x2
119
34
S.E.
S.E.
' 75'3
757
75*5
■877
•888
•882
94
« 76
85
3
5
10
C
C
R
1 ‘60
27
79
84
8 "v
89
1 73
l6
120
3i
N.E.
S.E.
75*6
74*
748
-888
■840
■864
90
72
Si
0
3
lO
C
r.
R
.20
28
76
8-
t'j $
j 86
1 73
13
125
39
E.
E.
743
7 s-
76-1
•848
•95 6
-902
94
85
89*5
3
5
5
C
c
C
1 .S3
29
76
f ^5
805
j yO
75
15
132
42
S.E.
S.E.
74*3
75'
74'6
.848
.873
.860
94
72
83
5
5
5
C
c
C
30
80
§5
82'5
87
73
14
160
73
S.E.
S.E.
73'3
80'
76.6
.820
i. 026
•9-3
80
85
82-:
5
10
5
C
R
C
10.
31
78
84
81
I 87
| 74
13
160
73
S.E.
S.E.
74-6
l
77'4
76-
857
■93 8
j -897
89
80
84.5
1 ^
5
5
C
C
C
Total 7 68
State Surgeon's Office, R. VAN GEYZEL,
Seremban, 6th April , /903. Apothecary ;
Grammatophyllum Terrestrial.
Grammatophyllum as an epiphyte.
Grammatophvllum Speciosum Flowers.
AGRICULTURAL BULLETIN
OF THE
STRAITS
AND
FEDERATED MALAY STATES.
No. 5.] MAY, 1905. [Vol. IV.
GRAMMATOPHYLli M SPECIOSTJM.
Plates I — III.
This superb orchid, so characteristic of the Malay region, is pro-
bably the largest species of the order in the world, though its flowers’
are by no means as large as many others. One of the biggest plants
in the Botanic Gardens weighed three quarters of a ton when it was
taken down from the tree on which it grew, at Malacca near Tan-
jong KUng. This plant was originally intended for the great Chicago
Exhibition, hut its immense size and weight made it so difficult to
handle that it was much damaged in transit, .and a smaller one was
sent which eventually found its way into the Royal Gardens, Kew,
where it recently commenced to flower.
The plant has a rather vvlfle distribution ranging from Tenasserim
through the Malay Peninsula to Borneo, java, the Philippines and
Solomon Islands, whence, lately, Mr. WOODFORD sent a drawing and
some dried flowers.* Properly speaking ; it is epiphytic, growing on
trees overhanging streams, or in mangrove swamps or high up on
lofty trees in the forests; but, occasionally, when it falls from the tree
it goes on growing on the ground. In cultivation, it is usually grown
on the ground in a mound made of soil and broken bricks, etc., and
in that case the stems become ,snorter and erect as shown in Plate
I, and the plant is certainly metre floriferous. When growing on a
tree (Plate II), the become longer and gracefully decurved,
attaining a length often of over ten feet; the flower spikes stand
quite erect. •
The plant emits from the base a large number of curious erect
branched roots, and care should be taken not to allow these to be
injured or cut away, or the plant will make* but slow growth and
will not flower. Big plants produce a vast number of stems espe-
cially if grown on the ground. These stems are six to ten feet long
and as thick as the wrist deeply grooved, and oval in section.
t 4i
After the flowering period, many of these stems shed their leaves
and die, others springing up from the base. These dead stems
must on no account be cut off, however shabby they look, till they
are quite shrunken, because they contain the food-supply for the
next shoot; and if cut off before the starch has passed into the new
giyv/tb the development is arrested and the new shon is starved.
Whei the last year’s stem is empty, it shrinks and dues up or rots
away. The leaves of the plant are narrow and grassv, flaccid and
decu ved. &
Tne flower spikes are produced in the end of August and Sep-
tember and grow with surprising rapidity from the base of the
stems. I hey attain a height of about six to ten feet, and bear
about 125 to 135 flowers each. The flowers open three or four at
a time on each spike, so that the plant remains in flower for nearly
two months. The five or six lowest ones at the base of the stem
are always abnormal, possessing no lip and a rudimentary column,
and consisting of two opposite pairs of petals. The normal flowers
ate three inches across, with the petals and sepals yellow, spotted
with brown (whence its name of Leopard orchid). The lip is hairy
and dull pink. There is not much variation in the colouring of the
flowers, but in some forms ( e.g ., the big one alluded to previously
as brought from Malacca) the ground colour is a brighter yellow
and the spots smaller and of a richer brown. This is the most
beautiful form I have seen. The number of flower spikes produced
on a strong plant is well shown in the Plate I. There were 64 in
t he plant figured and altogether produced about 8,000 flowers, but
it has been even more floriferous than this. A figure of a portion
of the spike is also given. Plate III.
I he flowers are liable to the attacks of a yellow beetle, half an
inch long, which also attacks Arundina and Renanthera flowers.
Its grub is a slimy-looking thing which lives concealed in a white
frothy mass which it excretes. It is easily found an 1 destroyed, hut
if allowed to remain quite, spoils the blooming of these orchids in
a very short time.
i he flowers are lertili^ed by wasps or carpenter-bees, and about
March ripen their fruits which are as large as a duck’s egg. Not
many are produced, however, the plant figured produced only 25
capsules this year in spite of the enormous number of flowers it
produced.
Cultivation Notes. — I he plant may be grown on the ground on a
raised mound about a foot or more-high of leaf mould broken bricks,
tiles, etc., but care must b'e taken not to plant it too deep. The base
should only be covered enough to hold tne plant in place. The
mound need not be kept absolutely free of weeds; it is even better if
such ferns as will stand full sun, such as Davallia elegans and
Poly podium phymatodes , are allowed to grow over the mound so as
to shade the base. The plant does best in full sun. It may also be
grown on an old stump to which it must be tied or in the fork of a
tree. As it requires to be a good-sized plant before it flowers really
• 43
well, it never seems to do well in a tub, and is best planted out. As
has been mentioned, care must be«taken to develop and not to injure
the erect roots either by cutting them or throwing soil on them.
When the plant is big enough to flower, it may be manured with a
little cowdung and water one month before flowering, not laler,
i.e., about he beginning of July. This is better than adding Cu\v-
dung or manure thrown on the base, as that is liable to inji re the
erect roots.
During flowering the plant should be examined to destroy the
grubs and beetles attacking the flowers. About March, the olant
may be cleaned by removing the old withered stems, flower-
stalks, etc.
Occasionally, the plant gets attacked by a fungus which appears
as black spots on the leaves, and this sometimes attacks the young
shoots destroying the bud. In this case, the fungus may prove very
injurious to the plant. Spraying with Bordeaux mixture might stop
its ravages.
The plant can be propagated by breaking it up when it is a large
plant. Although it fruits constantly in the Gardens and its abun-
dant seed is drifted about on the wind, I do not know of any young
plants derived from the large ones in the Gardens.
H. N. RIDLEY.
Rubber Tapping in the Botanic Gardens, Singapore. — Continued .
Experiment VI (Morning).
GROUP OF 15 TREES.
Reg No. 1
of Tree.
Working
Number.
Registered Mode
Girth at of
3 feet Incision,
from Ground.
Date.
Amount.
Ounces.
Times
Tapped.
Total
Yield.
Average
Yield
per Tree.
Comparative
Yield
per inch of Girth
at 3 feet
from Ground.
Remarks.
Ft. in.
Dec.
*
1904.
953
r
3 9a Herring-bone,
15
u
960
3 lo^ daily.
19
9^
961
0 -85
26
9
973
3 9*
27
Hi
980
3 !o|
28
16
983
3 10}
29
iG
984
3 11
30
165
996
1. J
3 74'
3 1
IS
999
3 9
Jan.
I905-
I,OOI
3 8
1
16
1,005
3 ioi
3
i5l
1,029
3 ft
4
13
22
246J ozs.
lbs. 1 '0 ~
Under \ ounce.
1,031
3 81
5
125
lbs.
ozs.
1,034
3 85
6
75
I )°49
i io£
7
134
Aggregate
8
12
Girth ...
56 9 f
9
io
J
10
8*
1 1
9
12
95
13
7
I V •
14
7
1 1
IS
7
Nearly dry rubber.
t Each tree between 3 feet 6 inches and 4 feet girth.
g- No.
Tree.
432
43 S
436
438
443
449
456
459
462
465
467
469
473
477
486
Experim ent VI (Morning).
GROUP OF is trees.
Registered
Girth at
3 feet
from Ground.
Mode
6f
Incision.
Date.
Amount.
Ounces.
Times
Tapped.
Total
Yield.
I
Average
Yield
per Tree.
Comparative
Yield
per inch of Girth
at 3 feet
from Ground.
Remarks.
Ft. in.
Dec.
*
3 9*
Herring-bone,
21
3
I 0 |
1
1904-
3
daily.
3 7i*
Jan.
« 3
14
I905-
4 0
4
i7
•
3 io|
5
1 6i
*
6
22
3
-
7
25 •
3 7*
8
23I
3 9i
$
9
i8|
IO
20 $
3 10}
1 r
l 6
3 11
12
*i8|
21
327! ozs.
lbs. 1.5-if
Under | ounce.
3 74
13
Ui
20.7! lbs.
ozs.
3 H
14
17
iS
i8|
3 7 i
16
iSi
3 ioJ
17
ill
3 7
18
nf
|
i
19
12
I
56 3 t
20
9t
i
|
■
21
nf
* Neariy dry rubber. t Each tree between 3 feet 6 inches and 4 feet girth.
Tree
59
104
133
154
358
366
4IS
,on
945
966
429
43 i
433
978
472
Experiment VI (Morning).
GROUP OF 15 TREES.
Registered
Girth at
3 feet
from Ground.
Ft. in.
01
2
2
4 i
5 *
4 i
5i
8
3 f
4 5 t
4 4 i
4 6
3 if
4 ii
60 gi
Mode
of
Incision.
Herring-bone,
daily.
Date. Amount,
| Ounces,
Dec.
20
28
Jan.
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
H
12
13
14
1 5
ib
1 7
18
1 9
20
21
2
T2i
17
I7i
15 ‘
* 5 ,
2li
l6f
18*
1 5 ^
16
III
8 *
i 4 i
i2i
ni
iii
9 1
71-
Times
Tapped,
Total
Yield.
Average
Yield
per Tree.
ozs. 276^
lbs. n 4 i
l6
lb. I-2 6 J
Comparative
Yield
per inch of Girth
at 3 feet
from Ground. ;
Remarks.
Under £ ounce.
1904.
1905.
Nearly dry rubber,
r. No.
T ree.
1 1
13
24
28
38
61
74
202
296
932
935
947
950
95i
957
Experiment VI (Morning).
GROUP OF is trees.
Registered
Girth at
3 feet
from Ground.
Aggregute
Girth ...
Ft.
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
1
4
3
2
o*
6
oi
5
4 H
8
7l
81
Mode
of
Incision.
Herring-bone,
every other day.
74 61-
Date. , Amount.
! Ounces.
Dec.
30
Jan.
16
<%i8
2G
22
24
26
28
30
Feb.
I
3
5
7
9
15
17
19
21
23
25
27
Si
1.3
Ilf
I7i
21
2ijr
23f
26!
22f
.. 26 i
20 2
22f
1 7ff
20 .V
22I
19
192
i5i
14 a
Times
Tapped.
— ""T Comp arative
i Yield
Tota, |A S 'pe-"f?L? irth
Yield, per free. (K) “ ground.
23
1904.
1905.
399 ozs. i.io/Hbs.! Under \ ounce.
24t 5 o lbs -
Remark
* Nearly dry rubber.
f Heavy Rain.
eg. No.
f Tree.
7
416
489
629
^54
723
776
815
S30
832
927
941
1182
1206
1210
Experiment VI (Morning)
GROUP OF is TREES.
Working
Number.
V.
Aggregate
Girth ...
Registered Girth
at 3 feet
from Ground.
Ft.
7
5
6
S
5
5
3
5
6
5
5
5
5
5
5
7 f
5 t
8
9
2
4 *
5
2#
4
it
iif
85 7
Mode
of
Incision,
Date.
Herring-bone,
daily.
Dec.
3 i
Jan.
id
17
18
1 9
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Feb.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Amount.
Ounces.
7 *
13 *
20*
? 5 *
2 5 *
27*
24,
22!
20 *
23 *
29
3 °
2 6*
24
29
29
23i
2 6 i
25*
2 6 }
25
17*
21*
2lf
22 *
l8f
24 *
Times
Tapped.
Total
Yield.
28
Average
Yield
per T ree.
636* ozs.
33* lbs.
lbs. 2
10-^- ozs.
Comparative Yield
per inch of Girth
at 3 feet from
Ground.
Over * ounce.
Remarks.
1904.
1905.
* Nearly dry rilbber .
Reg. No.
of Tree. !
1,057
I i°77
i,m
1,152
1,154
1,157
1,172
1,180
1.183
1.184
1.190
1.191
1,083
975
976
Working
Number.
Registered
Girth at
3 feet
from Ground,
; Aggregate
Girth ...
Ft. in.
ioi
6 k
8 k
9±
8 i
6i
9s
1 of
?$
9f
10$,
xoi
6
o
4a
57 10
Experiment VI (Evening).
GROUP OF IS TREES.
Mode
of
Incision.
Date.
Herring-bone,
daily.
Dec.
15
19
26
V
28
29
30
Jan.
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
A.mount.j Times
Ounces. Tapped.
i
7
8i
1 2d
i»l
ni
I4a
I4J
14
13
.81
1 id
ioi
9i
81
ni
7
7
6 k
3i
Total
Yield.
Average
Yield
per Tree,
22 ozs. 2o6f jozs. 13U
= lbs. 12
Hi
16
^ Comparative
Yield
per inch of Girth
at 3 feet
from Ground.
Remarks.
Over d ounce.
1904.
4^
>0
1905.
* Nearly dry rubber.
r. No.
Tree.
487
490
491
88 6
895
903
909
931
933
937
939
940
948
949
952
Registered
Girth at
3 feet
from Grourd.
Ft. in,
3 84
3 6 *
3 io4
3 64
3 64
3 7f
3 6 |
3 84
3 ni
3 11 *
3 8
3 10
3 9*
3 64
3 i°*
55 31
Experiment VI (Evening).
GROUP OF 15 TREES.
Mode
of
Incision.
Herring-bone,
daily.
Date.
Amount.
Ounces.
Times
Tapped.
Dec.
*
21
, 24
29
5
Jan.
3
i5
4
12
5
IS*
6
1 64
7
i 5 *
-8
15 }
9
I 7 i
10
16
21
11
i5f
12
13
13
15
14
14
15
9
16
124
17
11
18
10
19
1 of
20
104
21
9 *
! Average
Total Yield
Yield.
per Tree.
2614 ozs,
lbs.
Comparative
Yield
per inch of Girth
at 3 feet
from Ground.
Remarks.
1904.
1905.
Cn
O
64
l '*U
Under 4 ou ce.
* Nearly dry rubber.
Experiment VI (Evening).
GROUP OF 15 TREES.
Reg. No.
of Tree.
Working
Number.
Registered
Girth at
3 feet
from Ground.
Mode
of
Incision.
)
Date.
Amount.
Ounces.
Times
Tapped.
Total
Yield.
Average
Yield
per Tree.
" Comparative
Yield
per inch of Girth
at 3 feet
from Ground.
Remi.-ks.
•
Dec.
*
1904.
Ft. in.
20
3 a
Herring-bone,
28
12
100^.
982
r
1
3 5 *
daily.
Jan.
3
I 3 f
1,035
4 1
4
iji
1,041
4 o£
5
1 St
1,064
4 2f‘
6
H
1,100
4
7
19k
-
1,125
4 2
8
IS
■
1,128
4 2|
9
14*
1,170
hi. ^
4 °*
10
18J
21
OZS. 271 =
lbs. r. 2 1
Over i ounce.
1,176
4 IQ
1 1
i6i
lbs. 16
16
1,179
4 5
12
12f
1,186
4 9 *.
13
14*
1,194
4 4 ^
14
14*
IS
! 12 ^
1,204
4 7
16
14 .
1,209
4 81
17
1 7
10
i
r . isisf
1,212
4
18
! 6 *
i
Aggregate
Girth ...
64
19
12
—
20
7
21
7 t
*
—
* Nearly dry rubber.
g. nu
Tree.
354
359
439
461
463
610
690
691
99°
1,013
1,025
871
921
925
929
Experiment VI (Evening).
GROUP OF 15 TREES.
IV.
Registered
Girth at
3 feet
from Ground.
Ft. in.
3*
4*
5i
4
4*
i£
Si
51
5
4f
6f
9a
A gg re gate
Girth ... I
71 Io£
Mode
of
Incision.
Date.
Amount.
Ounces.
Dec.
30
Jan.
12
Herring-bone,
16
St
every other day.
18
ioi
20
165
22
I9i
24
2I|
26
232
28
24 \
30
Feb.
24i
1
20h
-3
2 3t
5
21
7
22~h
9
22%
11
22
13
23k
15
3 %
*7
(2%
19
12
21
i3i
2 3
16%
•
25
igi
27
i 3 i
Times
Tapped.
23
Total
Yield.
Average
Yield
per Tree.
Comparative
. Yield
per inch of Girth
at 3 feet
from Ground.
Remarks.
404^ ozs.
= 2 4-
lbs.
1 lb.
II ozs.
Under ^ ounce.
1904.
^s-
Rain.
* Nearly dryT u "bbe7T
;g.
Tr3<
I
425
544
635
693
709
744
826
827
912
.037
,097
A44
,201
,211
Experiment VI (Evening).
GROUP of 15 TREES.
Working
Number.
Registered Girth
at 3 feet
from Ground.
V-
Aggregate
Girth ...
Ft.
61
4 2
iol
9*
ii
1
2i
9i
2
1!
3t
if
ii
5*
81 ii
Mode
of
Incision.
Herring-bone,
daily.
Date.
! Amount.
Ounces.
Dec.
31
Jan.
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
S3
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Feb.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
4i
4 i
Si
12!
15*
*5*
i7i
i4i
*5i
i8f
)8i
19^
I7l
i8»
18S
i7t
14I
I7i
154
17
17
i8i
17
16
16
15
Times
Tapped.
28
Total
Yield.
433? 02s.
27^ lbs.
Average
Yield
per T ree,
"Comparative^ Yield
per inch of Girth
at 3 feet
from Ground.
I.I2T3
ozs.
Under 1 ounce.
Remarks.
1904.
1905.
* Nearly dry rubber.
Experiment VI.
MORNING. EVENING.
1
Working
Number.
Aggregate
Girth.
Mode of
Incision.
Times
Tapped.
Rubber obtained.
Working
Number.
Aggregate
Girth.
Mode of
Incision.
Times
Tapped.
Rubber obtained.
Ft. in.
Ibs.
ozs.
Ibs.
oz.
I.
56 9
H. B. )
daily. j
22
IS
6 i
I
57 10
H. B. l
daily. )
22
12
14
II.
56 3
H. B. \
daily. )
21
20
7l
II
55 8f
H. B. 7
daily. )
21
16
1 5 i
III.
60 9I
H. B. \
daily. J
21
17
4 l
III
64 7*
H. B. t
daily. }
21
16
V.
8 S 7
H. B. t
daily. f
28
33
8
V
81 i£
H. B. t
daily. J
28
27
if
IV.
74 6
H. B. }
every other >
day. )
23
24
5
IV
71 io£
H. B. -s
every other f
day. )
23
25
4 f
333 10!
T otal.
no
i5l
331 2
Total.
99
2i
1
99
2»
.
H. B. = Herring-Bone.
1 1
I2 f In favour of morning over evening tapping
*55
THE PUPOI.
Connaropsis Grijffithii.
A large bag of fruit of the Pupoi ( Connaropsis Griffithii) was
sent to the Gardens from Johore by Rajah Hitam, a-nd as I find that
. i # very little seems to be known about this fruit-tree, I give a descrip-
tion of it. The tree is about 40 to 60 feet tall, with reddish fairly
durable wood. Leaves in threes, lanceolate, accuminate, to 4 inches
long, f to 1 4 wide, smooth dark green above, paler beneath, petiole \
inch long, slightly thickened. (Sir George King describes the
leaves as trifoliolate, but I should rather consider the leaflets as
distinct leaves). The panicles of flowers are short, about 2 inches
long or less, and red tomentose. Flowers shortly pedicelled, calyx
cup shaped with ovate rounded lobes barely % inch long, pubescent
petals twice as long, spathulate obtuse (red), flaments slender.
Fruit, ovate obtuse, an inch long, and nearly as much in diameter
light green, smooth shining, containing one seed oval and flat like
an apple pip. A great many of the fruit contained no seed at all.
The fruit is rather firm in texture and acid. Stewed with plenty of
sugar, it is very palatable tasting something like B’limbings, plea-
santly acid. The Malays call it Kupoi or Pupoi, and use the fruit
in the form of preserves or in curry. It appears to be most abund-
ant in Malacca.
Editor.
PIBPES ( Continued ).
Bast Fibres. — The plants producing fibre of more or less value in
their bark, the bast fibre plants, are very numerous, but most of
them do not lend themselves to cultivation, either being too slow
growing or producing too little. The best known are jute, Corcho-
rus capsularis , and Ramie, Bochmeria nivea , The first of these is
not at all suited for the wet Malay region. It occasionally occurs
as a weed, but soon disappears again and never seems to attain the
size required for successful cultivation. There are two other species
which occur on our coasts in sandy or rocky places, but they have
stems and branches too short to be of any value for cultivation.
Ramie. — It is unnecessary to do more than refer to here, as ac-
counts of its cultivation and working have been several times pub-
lished in our journal.
The bast fibre plants are best grouped according to the size of the
plants as the treatment required for extraction of the fibre differs
according as whether they are half herjbaceous and the stems can be
cut and beaten out or retted in water, or whether they are large
trees or climbers and the bark has to be stripped off first before
treatment. %
The subherbaceous kinds met with here are chiefly M alvaceous
or Sterculiaceous or Tiliaceous weeds.
(>ln
156
The following list of those met with in the Peninsula includes all
the plants which I can find recorded to have been anywhere used or
experimented with as fibre plants, to which I have added a few
which are locally used for tying or binding in any way.
Abutilon indicum , L. (. Malvaceae ).
Hebiscus sabdariffa, L. ,,
H. abelmoschus „
H. esculentus
H. surattensis.
Urena lobata.
Abromo ( u gusto, Sterculiacece.
Nepenthes , spp.
' Triumfetta rhomboidea , ( Tilia-
cece).
Abrus precatorius , (Legummosoe) .
P oedema fostida , L. ( Rubiaceoe ).
Pachyrhizus angulatus [Le gum-
mo ce) ,
Gleichenia linearis (Pern).
Of woody climbers of which the bark has to be stripped off be-
fore treatment we have wild or cultivated
Anodeudron paniculata.
Cryptostegia grandiflora.
Artdbotrys spp.
Gnetum spp.
Of trees or shrubs of which the bark requires to be stripped.
Ficus chartacea. Cordia myxa.
A Ichor ne a villosa. Hibiscus tiliaceus.
Anona muricata. H. elatus, Cuba bast.
A rtocarpus kunstleri, Terap. H. macrophylla y Tutok.
A. incisa , Bread fruit. H . rosa sinensis.
Bixa arnoto, L. Melochia arborea.
Commersonia echinata. Thespesia populnea.
M acaranga javanica. Wikstroemia indica.
Abutilon Indicum , L. ( Malvaceae ).
A small shrubby plant about 6 feet tall or less, with orange yellow
flowers usually to be found in waste ground; native names, Kambong
Lobo, Bunga Kisar and Malbar.
The fibre is said to be good and suitable for cordage. The allied
species, A, Avicennae , is said to have a fibre superior to Indian jute
and finer than Manilla hemp, and attempts were made to cultivate
it in America; but though it was found to give so valuable a fibre it
seems to have been abandoned for lack of a suitable fibre machine.
The fibre is known as Indian mallow or American or Chinese jute
as it is largely made in China also. The fibre seems to be prepared
usually by simple retling and washing in water. Abutilon indicum ,
could be’ treated in this way also. It is a rapid grower and of
short life. The plant, however, is not very abundant here and
does not seem to establish itself very well.
Hibiscus sabdariffa (Malvaceae).
The Rosella is not rarely cultivated in villages and especially by
Tamils, but much more seldom to be met with than it should be, or
indeed is in India and Australia for its fleshy acid calyces which are
used for pies, jellies, etc. It is raised from seed and grows here
i57
usually to about 6 feet, but in other parts of the world in good soil
8 to io feet. It will grow on poor soil, but does better on richer
ground. Being practically an annual, it grows fast, and can be
taken up altogether when full grown. The fibre is obtained by
retting when the plant is in flower. The fibre is said to be equal
or superior to jute and fine and silky.
Hibiscus Abelmoschus , L. ( Kapas Hantu).
Kapas Hantu, the musk seed, is more frequently to be found in
waste ground than H . sabdartffa , and is more or less cultivated for
its musk scented seed. It is a tall herb, about 6 feet tall, with pal-
mate leaves, and conical hairy pods, the flowers large yellow with
a maroon eye. It has been experimented with in India and gave a
good return of fibre, 8oo lbs. to the acre, but the Agricultural Horti-
cultural Society of India came to the conclusion that it was not
better than jute.
It can hardly be said to be cultivated in the Malay Peninsula, but
a few plants occur in the Gardens here and there and the seeds are
collected and sold at 75 cents a catty for use medicinally. The
Malays do not seem to do anything with tin fibre.
Hibiscus esculentus , Okra, Ladys' Fingers, Kachang Bendi,
Kachang Lindir.
This well known vegetable is cultivated everywhere, and needs no
description. Some years ago, in India and America, attempts were
made to cultivate it for its fibre to replace jute. It, however, proved
to be very inferior and on comparison with other mallow fibres was
found to be about the poorest of those tried. The fibre is white
pliant and lustrous, but brittle. It is, therefore, hardly worth trying
when the other mallows which give a better fibre are as easy to
cultivate.
H. Surattensisy L.
Asam Susor is a common scrambling prickly plant in hedges and
waste ground, with handsome but fugacious flowers, yellow with a
large purple-brown centre. It has been experimented on as a fibre
plant, but no information as to the quality of its fibre is to hand.
Urcna iobata ( Malvacece ).
The Perpulut of the Malays, also called Pulut-pulut, Pepulut and
Poko Kelulut, is a very common weed in dry sandy places all over
the tropics. It is generally 3 or 4 feet tall, with lobed leaves and
rose pink flowers. The fruit consists of small adhesive burrs. The
chief use of the plant here is for adulterating patchouli leaves, those
of the Perpulut bearing some resemblance to the patchouli leaves.
The fibre is said to be very fine, white, and a metre in length and to
take colour well. It is very strong and makes good cordage. It
has been experimented with also as a paper stuff and was found to
be almost twice as strong as Bank of England note pulp. It does
not seem, however, that it ever has been put under cultivation and
it is doubtful if it would pay if it was.
Abroma august a ( Sterculiaceae ).
A shrub about 6 feet tall with lobed or entire leaves, dull purple
hanging flowers, and large spreading capsules covered inside with
irritating hairs. t It is not uncommon about the limestone rocks in
Selangor, Pahang, Perak, and sometimes occurring in waste ground.
It is not, however, a plant which establishes itself very readily, though
it is easy to grow it from seed. It is said to be cultivated in India.
The fibre is obtained from the bark of the twigs, and the plant gives
in India three crops a year. The fibre is very good and strong and
it is suggested that it might be used for silk. It is much stronger
than sunnhemp.
The fibre, however, seems to have been quite neglected even in
India, where it is abundant, and I do not think the plant is known
to the Malays. I do not know any native name for it, nor have I
ever heard of its having been put to any use.
Triumfetta rhomboidea ( Tiliaceoe .)
A very common slender shrubby weed with small yellow flowers,
common in dry places in villages, coco-nut estates, etc. The Malays
call it Champadang. The fibre is said to be used in Madras and is
soft and glossy. It is allied to the jute plant, and if it could be
cultivated readily it might be worked in the same way. It does not
seem to be utilised here.
Abrus precatorius L. (Leguminosee ) .
The well known climbing vetch with scarlet and black seeds,
known as crab's eyes, common on our shores, and Vigua Katjang ,
the KachangPerut Aynth, commonly cultivated for the beans, have
both been utilized for fibre. The latter, in America, where it is
largely grown for food, gave a good binding twine, and it was
suggested by Dr. Mason that the limes' should be utilized as well.
It was doubtful, however, as- to whether it could be extracted so as -
to pay commercially as it would be more troublesome to extract
and work as it is not a straight fibre like hemp.
Poederia foetida ( Rubiacea ?).
A climbing plant with lavender-colored flowers, very common in
India but less so here. The cut stem's are barked, twisted and the
fibre pulled away. The plant is a perennial and the stems can be
cut down when it will shoot up again. The fibre is strong, flexible,
and silky. 'It does not seem, however, to have ever been much
used, and some machinery would have to be invented for it.
Pachyrizas angulatus
The yam-bean, “ Bengkuang ” of the Malays, often cultivated in
the Straits also produces a fibre from its turning stems. It is tough
and used for fishing nets in Fiji.
Gleichenia linearis.
The common Resam fern produces also a fibre extracted by the
Malays with a considerable amount of labour for ornamental binding
*59
of handles of weapons and the like. It is never likely to be of com-
mercial value.
Nepenthes.
Several species of pitcher plants common in the Peninsula have
strong tough stems used chiefly for binding hedges and the like.
GERMINATING PARA RUBBER SEEDS.
The following notes on germinating Para rubber seed is taken
from the proceedings of the Agri- Horticultural Society of Madras
October to December, 1904, p. 138 “ In these gardens, we have
been in the habit, for the last 3 years, of germinating seeds to sup-
ply to the planters on the Nilgiris. The first year, the plan of sowing
direct in pots and pans was adopted with very poor results. In the
second and third years, a system on the plan of a seed-tester was tried.
Platforms were erected, about 4 feet from the ground, and on these
old sacking was stretched (coir matting would be preferable). Over
these was placed a little powdered charcoal to assist in retaining
moisture. The seeds were then placed on this and covered with
more sacking and the whole kept damp by occasional watering.
The seeds were examined every day and as soon as any showed signs
of germinating they were, removed and potted off. Seventy-five
percent, of a case of seeds received from Peradeniya germinated
after this treatment in spite of having been delayed bv the Madras
Customs authorities for over 3 weeks.'”
This plan might be well worth trying in cases where seeds have
been long delayed in transit -to the estate.
Editor.
NOTE ON TERMES GESTROI.
In the Annual Report of the Botanic Gardens for 1878, I find
that Mr. Murton reports “The white .ants have caused the death
of some fine specimens of coniferae for’ which class they seem to have
a great predilection. A large specimen of Dammar a Orient alls ,
one of Araucaria Bid will, one of A. Coo hi and one of Dacrydium
Hors field 1, have fallen preys to their ravages. All attempts to" arrest
their progress by applications of kerosene and gastar in quantities
iv t sufficient to kill the trees, proved useless ; moreover, the roots and
all the vital action of the plant is quite destroyed below the surface
before any signs of failing or decay is betrayed in the branches and
foliage. ” E
There can be little doubt that this termite was T. gestroi , which
was attacking the conifers as it does the rubber. The insect, how-
ever, seems to have quite disappeared shortly afterwards, as it is
hardly alluded to again. Ihe Gardens had not long been founded,
and had apparently been somewhat neglected till 1875, when Mr!
Murton took charge. Under improved cultivation, the termite
seems to have soon disappeared, as it will doubtless do in the same
way in the rubber estates. It has quite disappeared from the^ Bota-
nic Gardens now, except an occasional nest in the Gardens’ jungle.
Editor.
NOTES ON SOME SAMPLES OF RUBBER.
We have recently receiver] a small series of samples of rubbers as
sold in England, from M. PoBLOTH, and some notes on the appear-
ances of these may be interesting.
Fine Para smoked. The best rubber imported. This is a dense
firm rubber, the outside black, inside it appears of layers of different
shades from a light smoky brown to darker brown and black. It
has evidently been prepared by the Amazon’s method so often des-
cribed, and has the peculiar smoky smell that one is accustomed to
in prepared rubber. Except for the smoky odour and the different
colored layers, it appears very similar to the unsmoked rubber former-
ly made in the Gardens
Para entre fine showing alternate layers of smoked and virgin.
The smoked layers resembfe the dark ones of the previous rubber,
but contain some spaces, apparently water bubbles, which are much
more abundant in the pale colored virgin rubber, of which more
than half the piece consists. T his has a fish- like odour, and its ap-
pearance suggests that it contains still a good deal of water.
Both of these are apparently free of extraneous matter.
West India ball in sausages, probably smoked, ranks next to Para
in quality. This is a black, rather sticky, rubber apparently made
into rolls of bits coated with layers. It is full of bits of bark and
dirt. The texture is firm and strong.
West Indian sheet is similar, but very irregular, more like masses
of scrap joined together by dipping in latex. It is full of holes and
bits of bark. 1 hese rubbers are castilloa elastica Peruvian sheet
equal in quality to best West Indian is somewhat similar in colour,
full of holes but with less dirt. It is sticky and has a rather un-
pleasant smell. This is apparently Castilloa elastica rubber.
Congo i, from upper Congo, lo^es 7 percent. less water in drying
than fine Para, but is worth only 3/9 as against Para at 5/.
The piece ‘is made up of irregular bits stuck together. The bits
are clean, but there is a certain amount of earth, etc., adhering to
them and between the pieces. The rubber is black, firm and sticky.
Congo 2, from upper Congo, known as Red Marsai consists of
irregular bits and layers pressed together, reddish grey with a good
deaTof red bark mixed in. It has a faintly smoky smell, but does
not appear to have been smoked.
Congo bale, the commonest kind, inferior to the last two, from
the Lower Congo, seems to be a mixture of at least two kinds ; a
red or grey kind and a black one, apparently made in bits and layers,
i6i
i
full of spaces with a certain amount of bark and dirt. The darker
parts look a very fair rubber, but the red is poor.
The Congo rubbers are probably all the produce of mixed Lan-
dolphias,
Renguela Nigger, inferior, mixed with bark, loses in washing
nearly 50 per cent. This rubber is black, but so mixed with red
bark that the pieces appear to be quite red. It is for the dirtiest
rubber of the lot and looks more like bark dust stuck together with
rubber than anything else. The produce of Landolphias, L. owarien -
sis, L. fiorida , Peter sianus and parvijiora , Mozambique spools
coagulated on st : cks. This is a light reddish grey rubber in short
blunt cylinders 2 or 3 inches long. It has evidently been drawn out
from the tree in the form of threads wound round sticks. It con-
tains a little dirt, but not much, except the remains of the sticks on
which it was rolled. These are the produce of Landolphias Kirkii ,
L. Petersianus and L. -fiorida .
THE AGRICULTURAL SHOW, 1905.
The Hon : General Secretary writes from Penang: — The arrange-
ments in connection with the forthcoming Show are well in hand.
The various sub-Committees have finished revising the Prize List,
and it is expected that it will be in the Printer’s hands in a few days.
Subscriptions are coming in very well, some $3,000 have already
been subscribed. It is estimated that the Show will cost close on
$10,000. It is hoped that the Standing Committee, and especially
the District Officers, will take steps to inform the Natives, and get
them to take an interest in the Show. They should be impressed
with the necessity of preparing their Exhibits now by good cultiva-
tion of their crops, and‘ by the manufacture of articles of native
industry. Although there are a few alterations in the Prize List, in
the main it is similar to that of last year. It is expected that with
the very liberal prizes offered for padi, viz,, $50, $25 and $io, a
record entry will result. Mr. A. HutTenbach has kindly promised
a silver cup for the best collection of rice. His Excellency the
Governor, has also been pleased to offer a cup for the best general
Exhibit in the division for agricultural products. Altogether no
pains are being spared to make the Show a success. It only re-
mains for the Standing Committee to do their best to try and get
the natives to take a real interest in their Exhibits. It mi«-ht be
mentioned that the Federated Malay States Government have again
been good enough to carry Exhibitors and their Exhibits free of
charge by the issue of third class fares. The Straits Steamship Co.
have also kindly consented to allow a rebate of 25 per cent, off their
usual freight on all bona fide Exhibits.
It might be added with advantage that Planters and others who
have made field notes, on subjects of agricultural interest during the
past year, would do well to put them m the form of a small paper,
to be read on one of the days of the Show. The opportunity
1 62
afforded by such a representative gathering of Agriculturalists for the
discussion of such subjects should be taken advantage of. We shall
lack the able services of Mr. P. J. BURGESS, but we could discuss the
cultural if not the chemical side of Agriculture. Specimens of any
insect or fungoid pests, that have been noticed, would be very in-
teresting, together with any data with reference to them.
Records of growth of the same species on different soils, and in
different aspects, shewing the different yield of the crop (if any)
would be among the many suitable subjects for discussion. The
above considerations, however, lead up to what is advocated in
another paper, viz., that the time is ripe for the formation of an Agri-
cultural Society of the Straits and Federated Malay States.
A PROPOSAL FOR THE FORMATION OF AN
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY FOR THE
MALAY PENINSULA.
The Superintendent of the Botanic Gardens at Penang writes that
in discussing the designs and inscription for a permanent Medal and
Diploma for the forthcoming and subsequent Agricultural Shows,
he was struck by the want of some adequate inscription for the
medals and diplomas, to designate what shows the medals represented
and this leads him to suggest the formation of an Agricultural
Society for the whole of the Malay Peninsula.
There can be no doubt that the immense strides of agriculture, of
late, he writes, stimulated by the extraordinary success of rubber
cultivation, will render imperative the formation of an Agricultural
Society and no better opportunity could be found than the occasion
of the forthcoming Show to be held in Penang in August, when the
Standing Committee and Representatives of Agriculture from all
parts of Malaya will meet in Penang. 1 he formation of such a
Society would justify the Committee of the Show in having the medals
and diplomas struck with the inscription “The Agri-Horticul-
tural Society’s Show of the Straits Settlements and Federated
Malay States, etc.” This title, however, seems to be unnecessarily
long-winded and as it is in every way more convenient to form titles
of Societies as short as possible, it would be better to call it the
“Agri- Horticultural Show of the Malay Peninsula,” or “of Malaya.”
Perhaps it might be considered somewhat premature to suggest
the name of the society before the matter has been discussed, and
before the arrival of the Director of Agriculture for the Federated
Malay States, and the formation of his department ; but it is desirable
that all those interested in the agriculture of the Malay Peninsula
should have an opportunity of considering the idea before the Show
is held.
i6 3
CORRESPONDENCE.
Laportea Crenulata,
Kuala Kangsar, Perak,
Camp, Plus River,
26th March , 190$,
Dear Sir, — It may not be well known, and may interest readers
of the Agricultural Bulletin to know there is a tree in the Malay
States which stings, by name Jelatang ( Laportea crenulata ) the
tree nettle, which grows to a height of about twenty feet. The leaf,
which stings only, is about eight inches long, three inches broad,
bark of tree smooth and of greyish colour. There are two speci-
mens close to where 1 am camping, and by’ accident this morning I
happened to touch two or three leaves of a young tree with my
foot (I had slippers on only) and in consequence am badly stung.
The symptoms are a burning sensation, similar to a nettle sting, no
marks of any kind, and the part sweating every few seconds. The
sting usually lasts for 3 days or longer.
Yours truly,
HAROLD FURNIVALL.
[ Laportea crenulata is not very uncommon in the Peninsula,
generally growing in rocky places. It is common too in many of the
Malay Islands, and also in Christmas Island. Pulau Tioman, off the
Pahang coast, is quite famous for it. Its powers of stinging vary very
much apparently. In some trees, the stinging hairs really hurt but
little, in others, the pain is severe and lasts a longtime. The local
remedy is to apply chunam, or any powdery form of lime. I was
often stung by it in Christmas Island, (where besides this plant grow
another species of Laportea , Boehmeria platyphylla , and a Fleurya
all stinging plants) >and never found the sting much worse than an
English nettle. The application of water to the sting, it may be
noted, always makes it worse.
Editor .
MISCELLANEOUS.
Notices to Subscribers.
1. For the information of subscribers and others who wish to
complete their series of Bulletins, notice is given that numoers
1, 7, h and 9, of the old Series (1891 to 1900) and Nos. 1,8,0 and
10, of New Series, Vol. 1 (1901-1902) have been reprinted and
oopies can be had by all whose subscriptions are paid up to date:
The cost to others is 50 cents a number;
164
2. A very large number of subscriotions, even for last year, are
yet unpaid although subscribers have received more than one notice
of the delay in payment. As this entails a good deal of extra work
on the staff, subscribers are asked to send in their subscriptions
without delay. Attention is called to the rule that all subscriptions
should be prepaid.
3. Subscribers changing their addresses are requested to give
notice to the Editor.
4. Subscribers outside the Peninsula will in future be charged
$3.50 per annum instead of $3 to cover postage.
Meteorological observers are asked to send in their returns to
arrive before the 10th day of the following month, if possible, so as
to be in time for going to press.
Selangor,
sr
Abstract of Meteorological Readings in the various Districts of the State for the month of April, 190$.
District.
General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur
Fudoh Gaol Hospital
District Hospital
Klang
Kuala Langat
Kajang
Kuala Selangor
Kuala Kubu
Serendah
Rawang
Beri-beri Hospital, Jeram
Sabah Bern am
'rt "tS
h n
c
2
,
Temperature.
Hygrometer.
Cv
JO
c
* - — 1—
! Mean Baromel
| Pressure at 32*
! Maximum in 5
J
£
C
Sq
£
| Maximum.
1
! Minimum.
1
oJ
c
ar
J
m
•4-1
G CL
<d
s*
Vapou r
Tension,
Dew Point.
*5
"I
s
X
Prevailing Dire
of Winds.
Total Rainfall.
- O
'3 ^
* It
ll*
S’S
a*
!29‘887
147-5
808
91-3
7 i‘8
19-5
76-3
0819
735
79
Calm.
1019
i-95
....
...
...
q-68
1-68
1
...
...
...
...
11 '23
3*30
882
711
17 1
1092
3*75
88 ‘ 1
740
1 4' i
6*31
r°5
936
73*3
20‘3
I2'l6
i*47
88 - 1
7S' 8
123
5*14
070
92’6
7 2 *4
20 - 2
1117
2-28
91*2
76.2
15°
7-69
1*14
1
...
87^0
7*55
2*30
...
7 '02
2'04
*
5*H
i'54
as
Oi
State Surgeon’s Office,
Kuala Lumpur, 23rd May , 190$.
E. A. O. TROVERS,
State Surgeon , Selangor.
AGRICULTURAL BULLETIN
OF THE
STRAITS
AND
FEDERATED MALAY STATES.
No. 6 .] JUNE. [Vol. iv.
FIBRES- —(continued.)
The Bast fibre trees and shrubs are Jess used as sources
of fibre than the herbaceous plants, as there is more trouble
in growing and preparing the fibre. Several, however, have a
special value of their own, and some of the others are collected
in the forests by natives and brought in for sale in the villages.
One of the only native fibres brought in for sale into the small
country shops is the bast cJf the Terap, Artocarpus Kunstleri, a
common tree in these parts. In Malacca, and elsewhere where
the tree is abundant the Tutok ( Hibiscus macrophyllus ) is in
request for rough cordage, while many other shrubs and small
\ trees growing in the forests produce a ready-made tying material.
/ so that one may say one can always find string in a w r ood.
»
. Artocarpns Kunstleri , King. Ter«*p is a common tree often
' attaining a very large size, occasionally 100 feet tall or more.
1 he leaves are lobed when young, nnd often quite narrow and
deeply cut in shoots rising from a stool. In adult trees they
are entire and oval, hard in texture, and somewhat pubescent
beneath. The fruit when ripe is globular and it is eatable, being
sweet in taste. T he stem contains a quantity of sticky latex
which, however, never sets firmly, so that it cannot be used as
rubber, but it is much used as a birdlime. The bast can be
removed by cutting tTirough the bark and stripping it off and
*■ beating it out with a club. It is thus token off in large sheets
of a dark brown colour and very tough. Ijn this form it is used
bv the Sakais for clothing. It is easily torn longitudinally into
strips and twisted into rope.
i
( 214 )
A good deal of a bast similar to that of Terap is impor ted
into Singapore from Pulau Bungoran and Celebes, and sold at
15 cents a catty. I doubt its being the bast of A. Kumtlen , as
that does not occur so far East, as far as I know, but the bast
is sold as that of Terap.
Some years ago an attempt was made at the Botanic Gardens,
Singapore, to clean and prepare the fibre of the Terap tree, to see
if it could be used commercially, and a strong white fibre was
prepared, but the staple is short and the fibre much curled and
irregular, so that the mass looked more like cotton waste than a
good working fibre.
A. incisa. — Bread-fruit. This is not very extensively cul-
tivated here, as it never seems to fruit well, and the fruit is inferior
and not very popular. I do not know of the bast being utilized
here as fibre, but it is said to be so used in the Eastern islands.
A. integrifolia — The Jack also produces a bast fibre, occa-
sionally used in India but not utilized here, and A. Lacoocha,
a wild kind of bread fruit not rare in the Peninsula, also is said
to give a fibre.
It is probable that all the species or the genus give a more
or less useful fibre, and that the bast of more than one of the
native species is sold in the markets as that of the Terap.
Antiaris toxicaria . — The Upas tree (Ipoh). This gigantic
tree, allied to the Artocarpir, is better known for its poisonous
latex than for its fibre. Its bast is used apparently in India to make
sacks, the bast being removed entire, beaten and soaked in water.
It is used for native clothing, and rope also in Ceylon. 1 he
tree is not very common in the forests, and as the Sakais value
it for its latex used in poisoning their darts, they would naturally
be unwilling to cut a tree down for its bark while they can
get the less valued Terap tree.
Akctr Karas . — This is a pale colored bast obtained in Malacca
and brought in in half-inch strips. The bast is not very strong,
and inferior to that of ^erap. The ultimate fibres are very
short, white and woolly. 1 do not know at present from what
plant this bast is derived. It has the appearance of a Ficus bast.
Akar Tabak . — Also from Malacca and of unknown origin is
a stronger bast, light colored, resembling that of Ficus Benjamina.
It is in narrow strips, and the fibre is short, white and woolly.
Kudu . — Many years ago Mr. H. Vaughan Stevens brought
from Kemaman, a curious woolly light amber brown bast in
sheets, very soft, with a woolly short and weak fibre. It was one
of the cloth basts used by the Sakais for clothing but from what
tree it was procured I do not know.
All of these have the appearance of being U rticaceous
Fibres, either Artocarpus, Antiaris , or (the Akars) perhaps Ficus.
{ 215 )
Ficus Benjamina. — R oxb. “Waringin.” This tree, common in
cultivation, produces a bast of considerable strength, it is of a
light brownish color, thick and irregular. The ultimate fibres
are white and woolly, lighter in color than those of the Terap,
but otherwise similar. Specimens of this bast were received from
Johore some years ago.
F. chartacea. — A small twiggy shrub, common in jungle, also
supplies a bast used as occasion requires by Malays. It is called
Kelampong Mata Punei, Kelampong Agas, and Poko Rami
Hu tau.
.Hibiscus macrophyllus. — Tutok. This fine tree mallow is not
rare in the forests of the low country of Malacca. It attains a
height of about forty feet, and has rounded pubescent leaves
and large showy yellow flowers with a purple centre. The bast
is light brown in color and collected in strips ^-inch wide and
of good length. It is readily split lengthwise and easily twisted,
flexible and strong. A good sample of rope made from it in
Malacca is among the collection of fibres in the Botanic Garden
Museum.
H. tiliaceus. — Waru, or Baru. A common sea-shore tree
occurring all over the tropics. The bast is similar to that of the
preceding. Its fibre is said to be not as good as the best jute,
but to gain strength by wetting. Though used as a native fibre
a 11 over the world, to a certain extent, it does not seem to find its
way into commerce, and here, at least, is seldom used.
Hibiscus elatus. — Cuba bast. This West Indian tree mallow
has long been cultivated in the Botanic Gardens, Singapore,
where it grows readily, if not very fast. The bast is in constant
demand in Europe at a high price, but the supply is inadequate.
The bark is said to be obtained by cutting down the tree, peeling
it, separating the bast from the outer bark and drying it in the
sun. Its chief use is in millinery for hats and such like work.
Its porousness makes it absorb dye easily without impairing its
texture.
As the supply falls far short of {he demand a substitute for
this fibre is much required.
Thtsbcsia populnea. — Also known as Baru, is a common sea-
shore tree over most of the tropics, very similar in appearance to
Hibiscus tiliaceus. The leaves are, however, smooth ovate
cordate acute. The bast is something like that of Tutok. rather
darker red-brown, strong and pliable. It is occasionally used
in the Peninsula, as it is in most parts of the world, for cordage.
In Demerara it was said to be used formerly for coffee bags.
The supply is not sufficiently large for its commercial use.
Alchornea villosa, Muell (Euphorbiacece) . A common bushy
shrub, about 6 feet or more tall, gives a bast which the Malays
( 2X6 )
use for making twine. It has ovate dentate leaves, small green
flowers in slender spikes, and a woody green three-lobed capsule.
The Malays call it Ramin (or Rami) Bukit, Sumin Jantan, or
Sumin Bukit.
The trouble of collecting the bast is rather against the use
of this class of shrub.
Macaranga J avnnica, Muell ( Euphorbiacece ). This common
tree appears as secondary growth in abandoned cultivated ground
in great quantity, and grows with considerable rapidity, but never
attains any great size. It is commonly known as Balik Angin.
The chief value of the plant consists in its aid to reafforesta-
tion, as it soon covers the ground, but some years ago a planter,
Mr. Dupoy, in Singapore, having somehow mistaken it for
Ramie, stripped the bark and extracted a fibre of fine white
colour but not very strong.
Mallotus Cochinchinensis, Muell ( Euphorbiacece ). An almost
equally common tree, also known as Balik Angin, was also experi-
mented with by Mr. Dupoy.
The bast of both these trees is thiqQj.nd red-brown, strong
and tough. The fibre is remarkably fine and white, rather short
and not very strong. I do not remember ever to have heard of
natives using it for tying purposes. Of the two trees Mallotus
Cochin-chin ensis appears to have the best bark.
Gnetum. — There are several species of these remarkable
climbers in the forests, in some of which the lianes attain a
considerable thickness. The bark is thickened often in rings,
giving the lianes a knotted appearance. The common name for
this set of plants among the Malays is Akar Dagun. Other names
are Akar Mantada, A. Putat, A. Sebuseh pay a, A. Saburus. A.Tutubo
( Gnetum funicnlave Bl.) A. Jullah, A. Perut Sumba, A. Sacherit
Hitam, A. Serapat Jantan, and Selampah for G.neglectum. Akar
Tali is a name also occasionally used for the Gnetums. The
bark of these plants, produces a fibre used as string by Malays
in the forest, and from a sketch bv Vaughan Stevens I believe
that the “ Lennow ” of the Sakais is one species, probably
G. funiculars. This, he says, supplies the Sakais with thread for
sewing. The bark of Gn . Gnemon, the Maningo, a tree cultivated
occasionally for its fruit, is used also in many parts of the East,
and G, scandens of the Indian islands is used by the Andamanese
for making fishing nets.
Anodcndron paniculatum. — A, D. C. (Apocynacecz), a big clim-
ber, common in India and Ceylon, but rare in the Peninsula, is said
to give a strong and fine fibre much used by the Cinghalese.
Cryptostegia grandiflora ( Apocynaceoe ), a common garden plant
here, a climber with purple flowers, is also recommended as a fibre
plant, the fibre resembling flax. It seems never to have been
( 217 )
properly experimented with, however. Attempts have several
times been made to utilize the plant as a rubber producer, but
the product is inferior and the expense w'ould seem too great for
it to be remunerative in that way.
Calotropis gigantea (Aselepiadece) — Mudar fibre. A shrub
with much latex and rather fleshy leaves, with pale violet flowers.
The common wild plant here appears to be the form known as
C. procera. It occurs on sandhills and other such places near the
sea, but in no great quantity. The bast fibre is said to be as strong
as liax and much used in India. Attempts to cultivate it com-
mercially in India seem to have failed owing to the shortness
of the fibre and its very small proportion to the weight of the
plant. The seeds are covered with a silky flax which has been
utilized also for spinning. The plant, how’ever it might be
successfully grown in the dry parts of India, does certainly not
thrive in the Malay Peninsula, nor become sufficiently vigorous
to be at all recommended as a plant to cultivate for its fibre.
Urera tenax f UrticMece ), was introduced from South Africa
to the Botanic Gardens some years ago as a fibre plant. Its
grow th has been remarkably slow r , and it is not at all suited for
this climate.
Among other plants which have been utilised as bast
producers but of the value of which little is known and which
are not in sufficient quantity or sufficiently easily grown to be
valuable are
Bixa Orellana. — The Aruotto, cultivated for the red dye
from its seeds. This is said to produce a fairly good fibre.
It is a native of South America, but has established itself in many
parts of the Peninsula.
Artabotrys spp. — Jungle climbers of moderate size of the
fibre of which little seems to be known.
A-nma murici'ta. — The Soursop. This fruit tree is stated to
give a good bast fibre, but it is hardly likely ever to be made
use of, as it is quite a small tree and the removal of the bark
would kill or injure it, while the plant is more valuable for it's
fruit than for its fibre.
Cordia myxa.—A sea-shore tree, the bark of which is used in
India for cordage, etc. It does not appear, however, to be very
strong, and the tree is not common in the Peninsula.
Melochia arborea ( Sterculiacece ). — Not common here, A small
tree of which the bast is used in the Andaman islands for making
nets.
Wihtroemia Indica (Thymeleacecej . — This little shrub has a
very strong tough bark. It is common in some places, especially
the sandy coasts of Pahang. The whole plant is twiggy, about
4 feet tall, wdth yellow Ixora like flowers and red drupes. It is
readily grown from seed, and is closely allied to, if not identical with,
a Paciflc island plant which is used in Hawaii for nets, cordage, etc.
( 21 8 )
Commersonta platyphylla, Forst ( Sterculiacece ). — A tree about
15 to 20 feet tali, with corymbs of white flowers and bristly fruit
known as Durian Tupai. Common in secondary jungle in
Singapore and elsewhere. The bark is tough, and an almost, if
not quite, identical-species in Australia gives a bast valued by the
Aborigines as the best for making nets. It is a dark colored
tough fibre, but it is not used by natives here.
PROFITS ON A SMALL RUBBER ESTATE.
The following paragraph was published in a local paper on
April 19th under the title “ Where is it ? ” : —
“ The ‘ Ceylon Observer ' publishes the following extract
from a letter dated somewhere in Malaya — no need to
specify — 7th February, 1905: ‘Unfortunately,’ writes the
correspondent, ‘ I have only 5 acres of rubber yielding at
present. I get about $100 per acre a month profit from
them.’ One is inclined to think ‘ If these things be done
in the green tree?’ But present prices remind one that
there are places where angels fear to tread.”
I visited at Easter the plantation probably' referred to in the
above paragraph. I have known the place from its commence-
ment. The seeds were procured from our Botanic Gardens at
Tanglin, and the young plants planted early in 1898, among old
Liberian coffee, 12 feet by 12 feet apart, making about 300 Para
rubber trees per acre. The land is low lying but not wet, and
has been under cultivation for many years, formerly with
gambier and afterwards with coffee. The ' soil is somewhat
sandy. The rubber trees are healthy, but not specially large
in size, the girth at 3 feet from the ground varying from 20 to 36
inches, the average being considerably under 30 inches. The
larger trees were tapped at five years old and afterwards, but from
July, 1904, onwards, the plantation has been regularly tapped
at the rate of 150 trees per month. The average return to end of
March has been 75 lbs. dried rubber per month, or say \ lb. per tree.
The monthly expenditure is $50, including wages of 4 coolie s
employed in, tapping, curing, weeding, etc., so that at last year’s
prices the profit exceeded one hundred dollars per month. The
owner expects that this year, with increasing yield from the 1,500
trees and prices at $3 per lb., that the monthly profit will amount
to two hundred dollars.
There are no white ants, nor any trace of fungal or any' other
disease on the trees. The figures speak Tor themselves.
There have not been many cultivations which have returned
so large a profit on so small an expenditure.
H. N. RIDLEY.
( 219 )
ISOPTERA RORNEENSIS.
The Dipterocarpous tree, Isoptera Bo weens* s , is one of the
sources of^oil nuts producing an important oil known generally
as M inyak Tenkawang. We are indebted to Mr. John Allan,
of Warrington, for an account of the habits of the tree and
the methods of preparing the oil in Pontianak, where he
has been lately travelling to study the origin of the od seeds of
the East.
Isoptera bomeensis (Dipterocarpece ) , is a native of Borneo,
\ Bangka, and also of Pahang, Muar, and Perak, where 1 have
occasionally met with it. It is a tree of very large size, fiom ioo
to 150 feet when full grown, but unlike other Dipterocarpous
trees it flowers and fruits often when quite small, so that one
can gather the flowers from the ground. 1 he leaves are bright
green, oblong, acuminate, 4 inches long and two across, strongly
ribbed, thin in texture, and glabrous. The flowers in short
racemes small and yellow, are sweetly scented of vanilla, and in
Pontianak Mr. Allan says that the women are fond of gather-
ing them, when the tree is small enough to reach, to put in
their hair. The flowers are produced in October, the fruits in
January . The tree usually grows on river banks in wet silt mud
in which one sinks half-way up the leg. I have, however, seen it
in drver spots. The fruit is half globular, something like an
acorn, about half-an-inch long and wide with five rounded ovate
wings spreading out flat, reddish, and strongly ribbed, three of the
wings are -jf-inch long, the other two hardly half as big. The
fruit falls into the streams or rivers near which the tree grows
and drifts down. The natives of Pontianak catch them in nets,
or gather them in bends of the river, where there is a block from
a fallen tree or projecting root. The nuts are then dried in the
sun and pounded ’in a rice pounder, which here is trough or boat
shaped. The pounded mass is then Soiled in water and the fat
/ skimmed off, strained through a simple bamboo strainer and
poured into joints of bamboo. The fat is hard and waxlike. It
is used for cooking, imparting a peculiar flavour to the meat,
and is also used for greasing the copper pans in sago and
tapioca making, when pearl or bullet sago or tapioca is being
made.
The Minyak Tenkawang is also used for soap making in
Europe, but it is k hard fat and requires much treatment.
The tree is called Sinkawang in- Muar, and Larat Api in
Pahang. Burck gi^s its name as Tengkawang Trendah
in Banka. Mr. AiSan states that it grows in clusters,
many trees together, which is not usual in Dipterocarpece, though
it is characteristic of Dryobalanops Camphor the Camphor
tree. — Ed.
( 220 )
MANUFACTURERS OPINIONS ON SHEET
RUBBER PREPARED BY PLANTERS.
An interesting series of opinions of- managers of well-known
rubber firms as the advisability of planters sending their
rubber to market in the form of thoroughly washed and dried
sheets is published in the “ India-rubber Journal ” of March 13,
p- 296, by the Editor of the “ International Rubber Planter's
Association .”
Mr. P. M. Matthew, of the Victoria Rubber Company,
Limited, writes: “ I have before me at the present time a sample
of Plantation rubber of which some 60 tons have passed through
the Liverpool market during the past year. The last of this
was sold at about 6s. 2 d. per lb., which is probably a record price
for raw rubber. The best of this rubber has been imported in
sheets averaging about T 3 g-inch in thickness, and this, I consider,
is the best possible form in which it can be imported. So far as
I am aware, there is no reason why the latex should not be
coagulated in this form in troughs or vessels of convenient shape
and size, and such a plant could be installed at a comparatively
trifling cost. The subsequent drying of the rubber is a simple
matter, and can be, of course, carried out in v arious ways as may
be most convenient. As regards the suggestion that the rubber
could be more conveniently prepared and exported in washed
sheets, that is no doubt the case, and, from the manufacturer’s
point of view, it could not be in any more suitable form. The
present conditions of the rubber market, however, render it
necessary that the greater part of the rubber imported should
pass through the hands of dealers and brokers, and, that being so,
no manufacturer would buy the rubber in the form of washed
sheets, for the simple reason that it would be impossible for him
to tell whether it was adulterated by admixture of inferior rubber
or not. From the point of view of the planter? I consider it of
the first importance that the rubber could be easily identified,
which w’ould not be the case were it shipped in the ordinary form
of washed rubber. It is not too much to say that such treatment
would probably reduce the present market value by at least 25
per cent. I do not think it would be practicable to mark the
product of the various plantations as has been suggested.”
Chas. Macintosh & Co., Limited, say: “ There is no doubt
that it would be greatly to the advantage of the India-rubber
manufacturer if he could buy his raw rubber clean and dry.
Under the very best modern system of collection and preparation,
rubber comes to market cleaner and dryer than has ever been
known before, but still the manufacture has to put it through
his washing rollers and stoves to eliminate any foreign matter
that may have collected on the surface of the cakes or biscuits,
even if there is none inside the rubber itself. The important
matter for the planter to consider is, how can he collect and
( 221 )
prepare his rubber for the market as clean and dry and as free
from nitrogenous matter as possible. The reasons for this are,
that clean and dry rubber fetch a higher price in the market,
cost less in freight and handling, and is less liable, to deteriorate
in transit apd in store, than rubber which is collected by methods
in common use at the present day. These remarks, however,
only refer to the better qualities, as, with the commoner rubbers,
say of West Africa, if it were not for the moisture contained in
them, they would arrive in Liverpool in the condition of bird-
lime ( or melted pitch. The best quality of Ceylon or Malay
State rubber, is, so far as we can judge, no better tlmn fine Para
rubber. It fetches a higher price solely because*! comes to
market drier and cleaner'. It is impossible to say, if the planters
were to wash and dry their rubber before sending it to market,
whether it would save the manufacturer the cost of cleaning,
until the experiment had been tried on a commercial scale,
because a few small specks of sand or grit adhering to the surface
of the sheets might spoil the articles made from the rubber, and
few manufacturers would care to run the risk of using rubber-
straight from the packing case. It is quite possible to imagine
such a system of packing as w ould prevent the intrusion of dust,
dirt, or moisture, but such a system would have to be invented
before the manufacturer would venture to forego the washing
process in his own works. Therefore, under present conditions,
or conditions likely to prevail in the near future, we are of opinion
that it is not advisable for rubber planters to wash and dry
rubber on the plantation, except for the purpose of sending it to
market as dean and dry as’possible; and that, as far as we can
see, it would not obviate the necessity of the cleaning and drying
process in the manufactory.”
Mr. Jno. Hooper, of Hooper’s Telegraph and India-rubber
Works, Limited, London, says: ”1 have nothing but commenda-
tion for the plan # proposed, so long as the rubber is used for
mechanical purposes or waterproof goods, as it must save the
manufacturer charges for extra freight and washing and drying
space, if the rubber can be cleansed and dried efficiently before'
being exported. But when rubber is used for electrical purposes
as insulating conductors — it is very necessary to be careful as to
the class and condition of the rubber used. For our own
special insulation, we have found that the lumps of fine Para as
imported, with a few exceptions, can be relied upon if treated in
the right manner from start to finish of the manufacture, and any
lumps which are not satisfactory can be used for other purposes.
If these unsatisfactory' lumps had been washed and dried and
mixed with the bulk before being exported, it would be practically
impossible to ensure thJ^ubber being entiiely of the best quality
without adulteration.”
David Moseley & Sons, Ltd., Manchester, reply that:
“Several planters have been to see them and they have explained
4 /*#
{ 222 )
that they are at present preparing the rubber in Cevlon and the
Straits Settlements in the best manner.”
The Avon India-Rubber Co., Melksham, Wilts., say that *
\ u were possible to absolutely rely on efficient washing and
drying on all ^ plantations, it would undoubtedly be a great
advantage. We fear, however, this would be impossible, and we,
therefore, consider that it would be preferable for manufacturers
to do this work themselves.”
(( This is an interesting series of letters, and the Editor of the
India-rubber Journal ” promises a further instalment of those
he has received from other manufacturers. Several ideas are
suggested on reading them which may be worth recording. One
is that of the relations of line Para rubber to that of Plantation
rubber. No one, I suppose, thinks that any actual difference in
the lubber itself has been produced as yet, at all events, between
that of trees growing on the banks of the Amazons, and that of
Selangor. If there is any difference it would doubtless be in
favour of the older trees in Para. The difference is solely in the
method of preparation. The clumsy aboriginal method in use in
the Amazons, requiring a great deal of skilful hand work, must
produce at times unsatisfactory lumps. But in the plantation
methods, which are easier and more mechanical, and are
superintended by a European manager possessing a knowledge
of what is required, rubber on all estates under European
management can be made perfectly homogeneous. It is just
the same difference as there was between the sugar prepared by
natives of India with a-wooden mill, and the sugar as manufactured
by a well-equipped modern manufactory. There would be no
more difficulty in the planter’s turning out tons of rubber
completely homogeneous all through, ‘in, say, the form of crepe.
No good planter would allow any latex accidentally damaged
to go into the machine with the good stuff. The accidental
contamination of the rubber on the way home, referred
to by Mr. Macintosh,' would be less easy to obviate, but
it would be noticed that this contamination would be entirely
external, and could be removed without breaking the f ubber up
again.
As rubber is so easy to grow and manufacture here, we may
expect that .natives, especially Chinese, may go into the business,
and, in the usual native method, eventually put very second-rate
stuff on the market. With their skill and perseverance in
discovering the best methods of adulteration, biscuits resembling
those of European plantations, but adulterated, might be made.
But the small grower who would try to supplement his product
by adulterating it, could not afford a crepe machine. He
could imitate biscuits, but not washed and cleaned crepe. In
this way, rubber as crepe, would be more or less guaranteed
as pure.
( 223 )
RUBBER MACHINES AND OTHER
IMPROVEMENTS.
A great deal has been written in Ceylon papers about a new
machine, of process, for dealing with crude rubber, invented by
Mr. D. K. Michie and Mr. G. H. Colledge, and tor which a
provisional patent has been taken out. It appears that the latex
is treated with acetic acid and put into a centrifugal separa or,
and in a few minutes the rubber coalesces. The rubber is then
pas. ,d through a mangle, or some such appliance, rolled into a
thin sheet, and then cut up in strips and dried. By. this method
it is said that the rubber can be dried in twenty-four hours. As
Sir William Theselton Dyer remarks in the “ India-rubber
Journal;' it is rather difficult to see what is patentable in this
process. The chief feature, the centrifugalization of the latex,
was patented by Biffen in 1898, and an apparatus for centrifuga-
lizing was invented in England not long after, based on Bmen s
idea, but this turned out a complete failure. A specimen of the
machine was presented to the Botanic Gardens Museum b\
Mr. Pears. .
At present one only has the various reports in Ceylon
journals to judge of as to the merits of Mr. Michie’s machine.
Mr. Burgess wrote, however, on his way home, that lie had seen
the design.anddid not seem very much impressed with it. Whether
centrifugalizing the latex will be of any use remains to be seen,
but it may be noticed that while in Biffen’s patent the latex was
supposed to be coagulated by the action of centrifugalizing only,
in Mr. Michie’s machine we learn from the reports that acetic
acid has to be used in coagulating, before the use of the
centrifugalizor. We have not yet heard of the process being in
use in any estate in Ceylon, and have not had any account of the
working of it, though the scheme was hailed by the Ceylon press
as a wonderful success long ago, when the affair was in its
experimental stage. Any further infqrmation on its working is
to be desired. * .
Meanwhile, the Selangor washing machine is in full work
and there is a photograph of a large strip of crepe rubber, made
by Mr. W. W. Bailey, of Lowlands, in the “India-rubber
Journal ” of March 27. The sheet is precisely the same as is
turned out of fine Para in the works, but contains rather less
resin and less insoluble organic matter. The latex arrives at the
store at 12 noon, is coagulated by 6 a.m. next morning, and in its
soft wet condition is put through the washing machine, and after,
carefully dried.
Several rubber journals have commented on the immense
number of tins required for collecting the rubber, and enamelled
iron plates for making the biscuits in, and remark that the great
number of these required would be cumbrous, and hopelessly
impossible to work with on large estates. It is difficult to see
( 224 )
how one is to avoid the use of a very large number of collecting
tins, but there is no difficulty about the coagulating plates.
Writers do not seem to have understood that these plates and the
resultant form of biscuits have only been used because they could
be easily got at the nearest shop, and it would be just as easy to
use plates of any size or shape. It is a mere matter of getting
the enamel plates made to suit requirements.
Pozelina and Seringuina are two inventions of rubber
explorers in South America. They are chemical preparations
tor retarding the coagulation of latex so that it may be brought
in a liquid state to the factory. Formaline, as all planters know,
does this work yell enough, and is about as cheap as Pozelina.
Neither of the two new preparations have, as far as I know, been
introduced to this Country }'et.
COAGULATING RAMBONG.
To The Editor,
The “ Agricultural Bulletin of the Straits Settlements and
Federated Malay States.”
Coagulation of the Latex of Ficus Elastica.
Sir,
I noticed in an article on the above subject in your
estimable Journal of January last, that Mr. P. J. Burgess makes
a statement that Ficus Elastica latex refuses to coagulate, and
that he has devised a method of churning it up with a 2 p.c.
solution of tannic acid in the proportion 5 parts of solution to 95
latex. He also states that the Ficus Elastica yields an abundant
.atex which can be easily collected and which is quite liquid and,
remains so an indefinite time.
It may, perhaps, interest your readers to know the experience
of one who has tapped and watched the tapping of Ficus Elastica
trees for the last three years in the Government Plantations of
Charduar and Kulsi in Assam, where the latex of Ficus Elastica
by no means remains liquid for long. The cuts are made by a
V -shaped chisel or gouge devised by Mr. D. P. Copeland,
Deputy Conservator of Forests, they are made at right angles
more or less to the line of growth of the stem, aerial root, or
branch, at one and a half feet apart, half round the trunk,
aerial root, or branch, that may be tapped. Cuts made vertically
to the line of growth do not yield so much rubber for a similar
length of cut as those made horizontally. Endeavours are made
( 225 )
to just only cut down to the cambium layer and not into the
wood so that the wound may heal as soon as possible. Just alter
the first cut the latex flows freely, fills up the gaping cut and
flows over, but before very long, say within two minutes at the
outside, the flow ceases because the latex begins to coagulate ot
its own accord in the cut. Arrangements are made to collect the
latex that falls on mats made of thin strips of bamboo woven
together. Listle boys on the ground shift these mats about under
each cut as the man np the tree makes it, so that the dripping
latex can cover the mat. Before the end of the day this chipped
rubber has joined together on the mat and has coagulated and
formed a regular skin which on drying can be pulled off say m 48
hours, or less sometimes, and be further dried. The latex that
has coagulated in the cuts turns a reddy brown colour, highly
appreciated in the London market, and is pulled out of the cut in
about 48 to 56 hours afterwards, yielding fine elastic lids of
rubber. This rubber is then slightly handpicked to get rid of
pieces of bark, dirt, etc., and is laid out on shelves in an open
shed to be air-dried. After drying this fine red rubber that
coagulates in the cuts is pressed by a screw press in cubes of one
hundredweight each, which are wrapped round with cheap white
cloth and a double covering of gunny bag. The cubes retain their
shape and are easily portable. Such rubber has fetched four
shillings and threepence a pound recently in the London market.
The latex that dripped on the mats is similarly cleaned, dried,
and packed separately, and realizes very little less, this latter,
which we locally name “mat” rubber, is sometimes liable to
ferment, as some interior portion of a large drop of latex has not
perhaps properly coagulated, and hence at times this rubber
sometimes fetches a penny fess per pound. . Formerly mat rubber
used to turn black and did not fetch so much. Latterly 1
ordered the mats to be soaked in a solution of the bark that
comes off the tree in tapping. This dyes the mats red. The
white latex when dripping down seems to be tanned by this dye
on the mats in a similar way to that in the cuts where latex rests
and coagulates. The reason for early coagulation is perhaps due
to this tannic acid effect of the bayk*on the sides of the cut and
the dye on the mats. The “mat” rubber we export is mostly
red. Of the whole outturn of our plantations, some 15,000 lbs.
last season, the proportion of “mat” rubber to that collected
from the cuts as coagulated very elastic rubber was only 25 p.e.
of the whole outturn. The method of collection seems, therefore,
as good as can be devised. Of course it is more Costly to win
this latex from the Ficus Elastica than it is to win latex from
the Para (Hevea Braziliensis) tree, owing to the fact that the men
who operate have to climb the trees twice to get the rubber.
Camp Darragaon, E. S. CARR.
Goalpara District, Cons. Forest, Assam.
6 th April, 1905.
tftOQ
( 226 )
TAPPING IN RUBBER TREES.
(Plate IV .)
We give in this number a photograph of a tree which shows
herring-bone tapping scars of three dates. The tree in the
Botanic Gardens of Singapore was planted about 1886, and is
thus nineteen years old. It is one of a row of trees planted
about 6 feet apart, but having no trees on either side of the row,
and so a fair space and plenty of light to grow in has attained
a large size. The front herring-bone tapping was made last year,
and the one on the right as you face the tree some years .pre-
viously. That on the left was the earliest. It will be seen how
easily the side cuts of the herring-bone of the second tapping
can be made to alternate with those of the first years. The tree
for tapping purposes has practically four sides, and is best tapped
in the following order, first year, front; second year, back; third
year, right side (between the last two); fourth year, left side; fifth
year, front again. By this time the first tapping will have long
been covered with a layer of wood and bark, usually showing
only an outline on the bark of where it was tapped before. The
healing up of the tapping wounds rapidly is a thing to be desired.
It usual!}- takes about three months for a tap cut to heal
over, but much depends on the weather. If the weather is
dry the growth of the new bark is much slower than in the wet
weather.
WASHED RUBBER.
By P. J. Burgess,
The response which has been made by the manufacturers to
the request for criticism of the proposal to wash and clean
plantation rubber on the plantation as part of the routine of
preparation is most gratifying, showing as it does that the idea
is being fairly considered, and promising to Feat the matter on
its own merits. . /
A reference to the “India-rubber Journal ” for 13th February,
will show that the first experimental washing machine in the
East was working in August, 1904, at the Argi-Horticultural
Show at Kuala Lumpur.
Since then several of these machines have been established
on different plantations, but the output of rubber has, up to the
present time, been small, the plantations being young, and
extensive tapping only just commencing.
On Lowlands Estate, however, the machine has been in
constant daily use for several months; and a large and an increas-
ing amount of rubber is being turned out in the clean, dry,
washed condition, small samples of which have already been sent
to England.
Olil and recent Tapping scars,
Within a week or two a consignment of over 1,000 lbs.
weight of this rubber is exported, and this will represent the first
large quantity of the material which has been put upon the
English market, and will be a fair test of the way in which such
rubber bears packing and tropical transport. Samples of this
shipment will be distributed for inspection and criticism, and any
suggestions as to improvements or alterations in the manner
of packing foi transport will be welcomed.
It may be pointed out that this shipment is not altogether
an experimental one, but rather the first of many. This estate
alone is now capable of supplying . large monthly amounts of
rubber of regular and uniform quality, and what is now an
accomplished fact on one estate will soon be the condition on
many others.
With regard to letters published in the “ India-rubber Journal”
of March 13th, in criticism of the method of preparing washed
rubber on the plantations themselves, they raise two points for
consideration, the one is that plantation-washed rubber may be
adulterated with an inferior rubber, and the second that the
rubber may not be sufficiently clean — either through imperfect
washing in the first instance or through careless handling and
pa king subsequently.
The fear of adulteration is quite natural, but in reality will
not- be justified when dealing with rubber from large estates
under European management. The incentive to adulteration is
in the East, with present conditions of the rubber market, not
felt at all. All rubber is commanding good prices, and it may be
quite safely believed that an estate which has gone so far as to
establish a washing apparatus in order to turn out pure, clean,
dry rubber, will not jeopardise its reputation and good name for
the sake of making a temporary trifling increase to profits which
are already large.
The conditions under which the plantation and preparation
are carried on are not, in Europe, sufficiently realised. To obtain
on a plantation of Para any quantity of an inferior rubber is
difficult, and could scarcely be done without a considerable
degree of publicity. It will be easier for the management of the
estate to turn out pure and unadulterated rubber than to wilfully
adulterate the product.
The simplest solution of this difficulty of fear of adulteration
of washed rubber will be to sample it and have the samples
analysed and technically examined, if a simple inspection by
expert buyers is not sufficient for accurately estimating the quality.
In my own opinion, however, the pale colour, smell, and general
appearance of this plantation washed sheet will be quite sufficient
to enable an experienced man to say whether the rubber be
pure Para or mixed with other rubbers, and that with an
accuracy as much as, or more than, in the case of plantation
biscuits.
( 228 )
Further, as each plantation would mark and seal its cases
of rubber, the reputation and standing of the estate would soon
be sufficient guarantee of its purity.
The second objection of insufficient washing or subseouent
contamination can only be a transitorv nn, l li 9
dirfWhr i y , uaiibiioij one, to be removed
direct!} the evil is pointed out.
The rubber planters and producers in the East are cmite
\\ilhng to make any change and improvement in preparation
vhich will tend to the production of purer rubber or P an article
f £l f ? } Wtiy ; noie flt for 1Ise b y the manufacturers. The interest-
of the producers and manufacturers do not conflict an mv
pSct 10 wint iCh te, ; d t0 , impr r the P-pt a “on Of the raw
r net Will be warmly welcomed. At the same time it must be
pointed out that the use of some machine on large estates which
have had experience of the advantage consequent on Te use
of its'v aS h lng fi nl T hlne | f0r 1 pi ' epan " g raw r,,bber are 50 convinced
of ts value, that to abandon ,t and revert to the old system of
hand labour and petty coagulation in pots and pans, the tedious
and troublesome drying, and all the evils which follow in the train
, a ". accumulation of rubber sheets saturated with a putrefying
solution of gums, sugars and albuminous matter, to go back to
these conditions is impossible, and such a retrograde’ movement
would be detrimental to the best interests of the planter or the
Sidv^andl ™ ese ?' e '^ bo ' re '-er, 1 have already expressed
publicly , and I do not wish to merely repeat what 1 have
already said before, but that the interests of the planter and of
the manufacturer cannot conflict I am convinced, and any
apparent d'fference.s due to imperfect knowledge each has of
the other s province. I have quite recently arrived in England
horn the Malay Peninsula on a special mission, of which one of
the princ^ai objects is fo bring into closer touch the East and
the West,_ the producer and the manufacturer. To do this one
must have a knowledge of the conditions and a knowledge of the
details of the work at each end. and, while in England, I wish to
see personally those who control and conduct die manufacture of
rubber goods, so that ; , :ay perhaps put more clearly before
them the real condition of the cultivation and preparation of the
raw rubber in the East, and at the same time learn from them
their views and requirements, and some knowledge of the
reasons underlying them, by seeing the main outline of the
processes through which the rubber passes in the course of its
manufacture.
The absence of such knowledge has been felt in the Malay
States, and its influence has been all on the side of retarding
e development of rub a planting, that industry in which
the possibility of abundant future supplies of raw rubber
r >66 y depends '“ Iudia Rubber Journal," April 10, 1905,
( 229 )
mites in rubber nurseries.
My attention has lately been attracted to several cases where
the seedlings of the “ Para ” rubber tree presented a somewhat
unhealthy appearance, and on more than one occasion I have
been assured’that this was there natural appearance during, or
immediately after, a spell of dry weather. It is evident, however,
that all is not as it should be, and if the growing point or the
very young leaves are closely examined, a minute insect will
generally be observed moving rapidly about, chiefly on the under
side of the leaf.
This is not a true insect, but one of the Mites {Acarincc)
and allied to the pests that infest and produce the galls and leaf
blister on plants. One of the best known of these Mites is that
commonly referred to as “Red Spider” ( Tetranychus telariu
which is very common in hot houses in Europe, being especially
abundant on various species of Acalypha plants of the same
order as the “ Para ” rubber tree; other Mites are parasitic on
animals, while the itching Mite is parasitic on man, causing
the disease known as itch; the sensation which gives the name
to the disease being due to the Mites burrowing in the skin.
In the particular case under note, the very young leaves fall
from the plant before they are developed — in this respect the result
is much the same as though the plants had been attacked by
“ Red Spider ” — while those leaves which mature, present a
crinkled appearance and are generally of a yellowish green colour,
and will be found upon examination to be perforated b) 7 numerous
boles, due to the punctures of the Mites when the leaves were
young. Saprophytic fungi are also present, but the disease is
primarily due to the depredations of these minute parasites.
Being so small, these Mites are apt to be overlooked, and the
cause of the disease attributed to other causes; they can be
detected by the paked eye by anyone possessed with keen
eyesight, though a good lens or a microscope is indispensable
to enable us to obtain a correct idea of their structure.
The particular Mite causing the disease alluded to above, is
probably a species of Tarsonymus, but I am unable, with the
literature at my disposal, to determine the species. This, however,
is not of much consequence to the planter, as the cause and
effect is much the same in the various members of this family.
Mites are produced from eggs, and-, as a rule, the young are
provided with three pairs of legs: they thrive best in a warm dry
atmosphere. When they occur on plants having smooth leaves,
they can be kept in check by syringing with clean water, or with
a solution of soft soap and quassia chips. Dusting the affected
parts with tobacco dust will also be found very effective and
perhaps more expedient : this should be done in the evening so as
to reduce the risk of it being blown off, or washed off by heavy
rain.
2
bjloi
( 230 )
ff f Ir \ 0r J e Particular instance where the plants were badly
l^ ttnbl 2 ed J th ® attack to the ^ct that the young
had suffered from an insufficiency of water at the
°° ts ' abt nurseries had been made under the shade of large
trees, and the seedlings had suffered owing to the fact that during
rootwfft 1 ^ ^ ^.weather, the soil, being full of the
roots of the older trees, had become too dry to support a large
flings growing, close together in nursery bed?
, oreover the beneficial effect of heavy showers in cleansing the
foliage, such as we are accustomed to in a dry season, is lost to
tne plants when growing under shade.
r Th * s /Jiseaseis chiefly limited to plants growing under
unfavourable conditions, and is not likely to affect trees when
once established. I am of opinion that it may be entirely
avoided by making the nursery beds in a damp locality in such
a position that the seedlings will derive the full benefit of a free
circulation of air and be subjected to the full effect of heavy
showers from time to time. The soil should be free and well
c rained, but capable of retaining plenty of moisture even in
comparatively dry weather: if necessary, artificial irrigation must
be resorted to, but care must be exercised that this is done
thoroughly as opposed to frequently, an operation which would
be worse than usdess in the case of small seedlings exposed to
the full blaze of a tropical sun.
STANLEY ARDEN,
Superintendent Experimental Plantations .
Experimental Plantation,
Batu Tiga, Selangor,
01 May , 1905.
THE AGRICULTURAL SHOW AT
KWALA LUMPUR, 1904.
The Report on this Show, held in Kwala Lumpur, 5th, 6th
and 7th August, has just been published. As it is rather too’long
to publish completely in the “ Bulletin ” we extract from it such
facts as are interesting specially to the general public. It was
agreed on all hands that the Show was a success, and the
President, Mr. D. G. Campbell, attributes this to the members
of the various Committees and District Officers who laboured so
energetically for this end. “ It cannot,” he says, “be said that
the Show was held as the outcome of any special interest on the
“ P art of the general public or even of the planting community
“on the contrary it was held at the instigation of the Govern-
“ment.” And it must be admitted it is true that a certain
( 231 )
number of those who might have been expected to have been
willing to assist for the benefit of the community appeared to
misunderstand the rationale of such exhibitions, which are not
for the benefit of the Government but strictly for the benefit
of each and every resident in the Peninsula. As to the utility
of these exhibitions Mr. Campbell writes as follows: —
The Utility of Agricultural Shows. — The utility .of such shows
has often been questioned, but no one who saw the large and
varied exhibits in the “Native Industry” section, and the ready
sale which these exhibits met with, can deny that a great
stimulus was thereby afforded to native industries ; and, so long as
the natives can rely upon being able to dispose of their produc-
tions at these annual shows, there is good reason to believe that
some of the Malay arts and handicrafts, which, as the Hon.
Secretary for that division remarks in his report, are rapidly
becoming obsolete, may, at least to some extent, be revived.
Educational Value of Shows . — The practical demonstration
on the preparation of rubber given by Mr. Burgess, Govern-
ment Analyst, Singapore, was of the greatest value, and my
Committee is deeply indebted to him, as also to Mr. G. Dearie
Russell, Manager, Federated Engineering Company, who
constructed a rubber-washing machine on the principles recom-
mended by Weber — for an exceedingly interesting and instructive
demonstration ; and one which will probably have a very
important bearing upon the preparation of rubber in the States.
The educational value of these shows is a point which
should, always be kept to the fore, and every effort should be
made to bring the natives within their educative influence. It
is suggested that, in addition to such demonstration as the one
referred to above, prizes should be offered for agricultural imple-
ments as the rdlult of competitive trials, not merely as exhibits
in the ordinary way.
Report on Division “A.” — Agricultural Produce.
Mr. L. C. Brown had the charge of this department, which
was really very well represented. He reports: —
As regards Division “ A,” I feel every reason to be proud of
the exhibits, not only from the most satisfactory — but that the
exhibits themselves would, as a whole, do credit to any show as
the products of tropica] agriculture.
The exhibits received came from the following districts : —
Perak. — Upper and Lower P^rak, Krian, New Territory,
Matang, Larut and Kuala Kangsar.
Negri Sembilan. — Seremban, Jelebu, the Coast and
Tampin.
Selangor.— Kuala Lumpur, Klang, Kuala Selangor and
Kuala Langa.
( 23 2 )
Pahang. — Only a small exhibit of padi.
Penang, Province Wellesley and Malacca, also con-
tributed.
A few remarks about some of the exhibits deserving, I con-
sider, special mention, may not be out of place, the rrloi^e so as it
will serve for reference and comparison with any future show,
Coconuts, of which there was a magnificent collection, both
^specimen and variety, may be said to have taken first honours,
in so much that it was in this product for a very fine collection
of varieties that Mr. E. B. Prior, Golden Hope Estate,' was
awarded the cup kindly presented by H. E. the High Commis-
sioner for the best collection of agricultural products. The same
estate received a first prize for an excellent sample of copra,
while the Selangor Oil Mills were equally successful for a very
fine sample of poonac manufactured in their factory. The pro-
ducts derivable from the coconut tree and its fruit were very
much in evidence, and with respect to this, one exhibitor had
baskets, brushes, ladles of all sorts, sticks, and some articles
of such intrinsic value that he refused to part with them at any
price. Excellent samples of sugar, coir fibre and twine were
also on view, and it is to be hoped that at some future show,
when the industry expands in all its branches, we may see rope,
soap and coconut butter exhibited from some factory situated
in the Federated Malay States or the Colony.
Rubber . — I was certainly disappointed that there were not
more exhibits iTi this class; on the other hand, most of the
samples were of excellent quality. Mr. A. B. Lake took both the
cups presented for Para; Kent Estate the one given by the
Selangor Planters’ Association ; and Uganda Estate Mr. Parry’s
prize ; Mr. F. A. Stephen’s exhibit being “ highly commended,” .
as also that of Mr. P. W. Parkinson. Mr. W. W. Bailey
succeeded in carrying off the cup presented by the Negri Sembilan
Planters’ Association for the best sample of rambong.
Padi .. — The various kinds, both as regards specimens and
collections, were exceptionally good, but great difficulty was found
in obtaining competent Judges for awarding the prizes, as the
Judges appointed for this division expressed themselves unwill-
ing to undertake the work, believing that they could not give fair
justice in the selection, and it would be better if, in future, some
special arrangement was made about this, Mr. Belfield, the
Acting Resident of Perak, was good enough to present a prize for
the best sample of padi, and this was awarded to Penghulu Kota
Lama Kiri, Kuala Kangsax.
The Judges commented most favourably on the exhibit that
took first in Gambler, and they were also very much taken by the
best sample in white pepper, grown on Padang Rengas Estate,
Kuala Kangsar. An interesting feature of the show was an
excellent display of various fibres by Messrs. Hogan & Co., which
( 233 )
attracted much attention and easily gained the first prize.
Exhibits of Liberian coffee, cotton, and tapioca (pearl, fiake and
flour) were all very good.
Special thanks are due to the Hon. J. Allinson, Messrs.
Ridley and Fox, who kindly officiated as Judges, and I am
particularly indebted to Mr. Fox for the valuable assistance he
gave me in , arranging and staging the exhibits, as also to
Mr. Arden and Mr. J. P. Swettenham for the help given me
from time to time in the necessary preparations for the exhibition.
L. C. BROWN,
Hon. Secretary , Division “ A
Report on Division “B. ” — Flowers, Fruits
and Vegetables.
Dealing with the three sections separately and commencing
with that for flowers, plants, etc., the exhibits staged were poor,
and had it not been for the enterprise of only about half-a-dozen
exhibitors this class would have been a hopeless failure.
As it was, the value offered in first prizes amounted to $230,
while only $60 were awarded by the Judges; and as regards
second prizes, awards of the value of $15 only were made out of
a provision of $35.
The collections sent by Lady Treacher, Mr. D. G.
Campbell, Mr. Chua Kim Kiat, Messrs. Yap Thye Kee and
Teh Show Teng and by Mrs. Ah Yeok, divided practically all
the prizes between them. Mr. D. G. Campbell winning six first
prizes, two second prizes, and one commended exhibit, while
Mr. Chua Kim Kiat won six first prizes.
Lady Treacher won two first prizes for her collections of
ferns, and Mr. Lore Yew’s cup for the best group) of Chinese
plants arranged in fantastic shapes was awarded to Messrs. Yap
Thye Kee and TPh Seow Teng, Mrs. Cheow Ah Yeok winning
first prizes for the best collection of> flowering plants.
The only exhibit worthy of mention among the class for cut
flower was the bowl of magnificent roses shown by Mr.
Ephraums, of Negri Sembilan.
The class for table decoration was well filled, and Miss
Anderson, who very kindly consented to awfird the prizes, had
some difficulty in discriminating among the six pretty 'tables of the
ladies who competed.
The group of , ferns, etc., staged by the Government
Gardens, Selangor, were exceedingly effective, and as a general
exhibit of flowers, fruits and vegetables, too great praise cannot
be awarded to the Government Gardens, Perak, for their very
representative collection staged by Mr. Campbell, the Govern-
ment Superintendent.
6 %
( 234 )
In the section for fruit, prizes to the value of $jq 6 (first) and
$42 (second) were offered for competition, the actual awards
made by the Judges, however, only amounted to $67 (first), $30
(second), and $6 (special).
Mr. Stanley Arden had very kindly offered a special prize
to the value of $25 in this section for the best collection of
cultivated fruit, but the Judges considered that there was not any
collection of sufficient merit to warrant its being awarded.
I he Land Office, Penang, won in this section five first prizes
and five second, while next to theirs the best exhibits were those
from the district of Jugra, which carried off three first and two
second.
Mrs. ?\1 00 r house won first prize in classes 31 and 32 for
chutney and pickles, respectively; and Mrs. Reyne was awarded
first prize in class 30, for preserved fruits.
Perhaps the most interesting class in the fruit section whs
No. 29 that for any variety of fruit not included in the official
prize list. The first prize was awarded to Mr. W. J. Coats for
his Brazilian pears, and a special prize to Mr. R. D. Tollemache
for some exceptionally fine lemons.
The limes exhibited by Batu Caves and Kam lining Estates,
and also the oranges grown by Mr. Chua Kim . Keat, of
Singapore, are well worthy of mention as showing what can be
produced in the Straits.
The fruits exhibited purely by Malays were very poor, both
in quality and quantity, f he poorness in quality is due princi-
pally to the reason that the fruit season was only just beginning,
but a great deal of it is attributable, as is also the paucity of
exhibits, to the fact that only in the one district of jugra dki the
District Officer seem to take any real interest in working up his
Malays to exhibit, and having done so, in seeing that their collec-
tions were properly classified for staging.
This applies also to the section for vegetables, and until more
interest is taken by the officers who are in touch with the Malays
in their own homes, it will be impossible to ef/er get together a
representative collection of what the Malays can do in the culti-
vation of the ordinary fruits or vegetables, for which there is the
greatest demand.
As an illustration, and taking the section for fruits, prizes
were offered in thirty-two separate classes, in twen.t} T -one of which
second prizes were also offered. Out of these only six firsts and
six seconds Were awarded to Malays of the F. M. S., and of that
number again, three firsts and two seconds went to the district
of Jugra alone.
To proceed to the section for vegetables. There were
eighteen different classesin ‘which first prizes to the value of $49,
and seconds to the value of $23, were offered, the value of
the prizes actually awarded being $34 in firsts, and $18 in
seconds.
m
( 235 )
Mr. H. N. Ridley’s special prize in this section w as won by
Mr. Foo Wha Cheng, of Kuala Lumpur, for his collection of
vegetables, the other principal exhibitors being the Land Office,
Penang, with three firsts and one second, -and the Jugra District
with one first and two seconds.
The most representative classes were perhaps those for
brinjals, purnpkins, watermelons and kladi, and it is perhaps
worthy of mention that in the classes for such ordinary vegetables
as beetroot, cabbages, onions and artichokes, no exhibits were
entered for competition.
Speaking generally, I do not consider that this division of
the show was a very representative one. The plants and flowers
are not of so much importance, perhaps, as the fruits and
vegetables, and it is a matter to be regretted that the classes for
them were not better filled.
H. E. BYRNE,
Hon. Secretary , Division “ BH
Report on Division “ C.” — Stock and Dairy Produce.
Sections i and 2 were cancelled a week before the first day
of the Show, owing to the existence of rinderpest in Kuala Lumpur.
Section 1 would have had some interesting exhibits, as several
Europeans in Selangor and Perak had intended to exhibit.
Section 3 only provided one exhibit in class 1. In classes
2 and 3 there were no exhibits. In the classes for goats,
classes 4 and 5, there were four and six exhibits respectively.
All the exhibits in these sections, except one from Klang, were
from Kuala Lumpur and’ district, and none of them call for
special notice. One prize was awarded in class J, and two in
each of classes 4 an cl 5.
Two extra prizes were given for sheep.
The Chinamen were backward in bring their pigs, owing to
trouble of transporting them, keeping them under restraint, and
feeding them on the show ground. The prizes would probably
have to be increased in value to induce people to show their
pigs, and I doubt whether, even if pigs were exhibited in large
numbers, it would prove a great advantage or help on the
purposes of the Show.
In section 4, poultry, etc., there was a large number of
exhibits. Far ahead of the rest were Mr. Fairer Baynes’ light
Brahma fowls. There were many kinds and varieties of fowls
exhibited by natives.
In section 5 there were two exhibits of butter, both from
Europeans, and several exhibits of eggs.
There were also miscellaneous exhibits which it was found
impossible to class under any of the scheduled headings, such as
cats, plandoks, birds of various colours and sizes, and a crocodile.
These exhibits excite considerable interest among the spectators ;
( 236 )
but it should be decided, I think, to keep within the classes
scheduled and not to accept miscellaneous exhibits, and clear
instructions should be issued to local secretaries on the subject.
Many of the native exhibitors appeared to imagine that
deformity in an animal is a special merit, and the mere fact of an
exhibit being unique in its gait or the malformation of its limbs
entitles it to a prize. There was also an impression that the
Judges were to make a daily circuit of the show, awarding fresh
prizes on each occasion.
Thanks are due to Messrs. Dykes, R. Meikle, E. B.
Skinner and E. F. Townley for the work they did in arranging
the exhibits, and to the two last-named and Mrs. Venning' and
Mrs. Ephraums for judging the exhibits. In conclusion, I would
recommend that on future occasions prize winners should receive
their money prizes on the last day of the Show, as far as possible.
This would save a considerable amount of trouble to secretaries
I think, and would be very popular among the native prize
winners.
T. \Y. CLAYTON,
Hon. Secretary, Divison “C."
Report on Division “E .” — Native Industries and
Manufactures.
The section of the Agri- Horticultural Show devoted^to Native
Industries and Manufactures was certainly by far the largest and
probably attracted the greatest attention of any on the ground,
its success being almost entirely due to the efforts made by the
various District Officers in the Colony and the Federated Malay
States to induce the natives to exhibit — by no means an easy
matter. The total number of individual exhibits could not have
been less than eight or ten thousand, though, of course, this
includes series of twenty or thirty objects exhibited under one
head.
As might be expected, the bulk of the prizes were carried off
by exhibitors from Perak and Negri Sembilan, while, a few,
chiefly connected with agriculture, were won by Malacca.
Selangor exhibits formed a very small proportion of the whole,
and Pahang, owing to distance and difficulties of transport, was
but poorly 'represented ; nearly every specimen sent by this
State, however, was awarded a prize. Special mention should
be made of the magnificent exhibit of stamped cloth, kain telepok ,
and silver, from the Kuala Langat district ; of the carefully
executed series of model fishing boats and nets from Kuantan ;
of the miscellaneous exhibits of the Kuala Kangsa Art School
and the Perak Vernacular Schools : and of the kris sheaths and
handles from Upper Perak.
( 2 37 )
The Show was instrumental in bringing to light numerous
implements, etc., now quite obsolete in the Federated Malay
States, such as the gobi api or fire syringe; but the general
impression given was that Malay arts and handicrafts are rapidly
becoming obsolete (in the Western States, at any rate) with but
little prospect of revival. To take only two instances, the
examples of .recent silver-work and wood-carving entered w ere
both poor in execution and tasteless and debased in design,
showing marked Chinese and Indian influence. Terrible
ornaments made of Berlin wool of the most violent analine
shades, where the most popular exhibit in the show among the
natives, and were eagerly competed for by Chinese, natives of
India, and Malays alike.
H. C. ROBINSON,
Hon. Secretary , Division “ E."
Balance Sheet of Agri-Horticultural Show, Kuala
Lumpur, 1905.
As per 24th February, 1905.
LIABILITIES.
If c.
ASSETS
r c.
Awards still unpaid . .
144 ..
Cash at Chartered Bank . .
Balance of Liabilities over
141 48
*
Assets . . . . . . j
2 52
%
I 44
•
144 ..
Dr.
Profits and Loss Account.
Cr.
■
« e.
$ c.
To Transport . .
907 79
By Government contribu-
, , Buildings . .
I 3,010 12
tion
4,000 . .
,, General Charges
70S 13
,, ’ ,, free use of Ptg.
—
,, Printing and Stationery
400 . .
Department (say) . . '
400 . .
, , Compensation . .
3 s 50
, , Private Contributions . .
2 , 75 i 74
,, Cost of Cups awarded . . j
713 72
,, Proceeds o£ gate, etc. .
300 . .
,, Money awards .. . . ,
I
1,676 ..
,, Balance carried forward
2 52
1
7.454 26
1
7,454 26
The amount of awards unpaid is based 011 statements made
to me by the General Secretary. No charge v r as made for
printing and stationery, the F.M.S. Government Press having
7
( 23S )
been placed at the Committee's disposal free of charge. No
account has been taken sub “Liabilities” of diplomas that at one
rime it was resolved to issue to prize winners.
Kuala Lumpur,
24 th February , 1905.
Audited and found correct with vouchers and receipts produced.
,, , H. VANE,
Jth March, iqo^.
Auditor.
H. C. E. ZACHARIAS,
Hon. Treasurer.
AGRICULTURAL SHOW FOR 1905 .
1 his year’s Agri-Horticultural Show is to be held at Penang
<m the 9 th, ioth and nth of August next. The Prize List hat
J of S Gardent U ,t P hed ’ ^ C u P 'g Ca " be had of tbe Superintendent
a p plication fS ° r th ? ),rect r °'' ° f Gardens at Singapore, on
im St <rivp ' !' X bi 0rS ' v,shln g free transport on the railway
whifwdT if Th “ “ Dls r tn , ct ofl icer or General Secretary,
who will if they approve of their exhibits, provide them with
themselves aniOh ^ 1 & thi ^' c,ass P as * thfr^vay"^
themselves ; and their exhibits. A reduction of 25 per cent, off the
fide a e\hibfte ml ^ madG n the Stearashi P Company on nil bona
of exhibit n t er reas .° nab J e , expenses connected with transport
ot exhibits will be considered by the Committee. .
, Entiles in all divisions must be made in writing and reach
the Secretary at least seven days before the opening day. In the
case of horses and dogs three weeks. '
1 he price of admission to the exhibition is two dollars for the
opening ceremony the first day, and 20 cents every succeeding day.
< mong the additional exhibits for which prizes are offered
aie Para rubber-seed oil and clove oil, the best collection of
taneties of padi grown m anyone Mukim aifd accompanied by
an affidavd from the Penghnle that the whole collection was grown
m . , Mllluln during the previous padi season. Para and Rambong
rubbei not less than 60 lbs.. packed as sent from the estate.
Imps are offered as follows : —
, r^°r^ k eS ^ ex hibit in the Agricultural Produce section
by H. L. The Governor.
Pot best sample of rice prepared by machinery by Kim
Ker Chuan.
Best collection of varieties off rice by Hon. \
Huttenbach.
Rambong, best sample, by Negri Sembilan Planters’
Association.
Para and Rambong packed for shipment by W W
Bailey, Esq.
Para Rubber free from chemicals, Selangor Planters
Association.
Sugar, best refined white, by Lim Eow Itong.
Cannas, 6, presented by Dr. S. Kae.
Table decoration, T. Gawthorne, Esq.
Best collections of fruits, Hon. J. K. Bir6h.
Df aught Bulls, pair, A. O. Merican.
Bull or Bullock, Peninsula, Penang Cattle Butchers.
Buffalo, Sye Ah Thoon.
Champion animal in Cattle Section, Dr. Locke.
Boar, Hokien Pork Butchers.
Sow, Pig Market Dealers.
Sow and Litter, Ah Koon.
Six pigs, Elton Bell, Esq.
Best Pig over 300 catties, Cantonese Pork Butchers.
Champion Pig, Team Kee.
Six Sheep, Indian Mutton Trading Co.
Sheep (pair), The Pigdealers.
Pair of Turkeys, H. Starr, Esq.
Best specimen of Native Work, Gan Ngoh Bee.
Rubber Machinery, Members of Engineers’ Institute.
Also a number of Cups for Horses and Dogs.
Penang has always shown well in cattle and poultry, and we
may hope for a good "display this time. The fruit crop, at least
down South, promises very ill this season, but the Northern pait
of the Peninsula may be more productive. The remarkable
success last year in the Malay arts section, and the subsequent
sale of almost everything # the natives brought at very good
figures, ought to bring as good an exhibition at least. Flowers
and ornamental plants too should be much better than at last
year's show, where they were remarkably poorly staged, and we
shall hope to see a really ^ood exhibition of rubbers, not perhaps
better in /quality, for that shown last year at Kwala Lumpur was
about as good as it could be, but in greater quantity, and more
representative of tTi is great industry.
SIR HUGH LOW.
It is with much regret that we have to chronicle the death
of one who did so much for agriculture and botany as Sir Hugh
Low, who died on April 18th, 1905, very nearly eighty-one years
old.
•
He was born on May loth, 1824, and about 1840 obtained
an appointment in the Hon. East India Company and travelled
out to the East with Mr. (Sir) John Brooke, which ended in his
quickly resigning his Indian appointment and joining the Rajah
as secretary. He remained there about three years and then
returned to England w here he published a well-known work in
Sarawak, its Inhabitants and Productions In 1848 Mr
Brooke became Acting Governor of Labuan, and Hugh Low
accompanied him and became Colonial Treasurer of the Island
whence he visited Lawns and Brunei and made the first ascent
of Mt. Kinabalu in 1851, where he collected the grand species
" 2 f her P ' ants ’ Ne P en *hes Rajah, Lowii, Edwardsianus, and
He ascended the same mountain again in 1858, and again
added much to the knowledge of its flora. During his star- in
Borneo indeed he discovered a great number of plants now well
known in our Gardens, besides the pitcher plants, among other
Cypripednim Lowii Vanda Lowii, Coelogync fmndurata, the fine
Rhododendrons of Borneo E. Brookeanum , R. Lowianum , and
others. So well was he known by the natives to be an enthusi-
astic collector of plants, that the pretty foliage Orchids
A noectochilus and Haemaria are known to this day by the Malays
as Daun Lo, or Low’s leaf.
In 1877 he became Resident of Perak after the murder of
All. .biRCH and held the appointment till he retired in iS8q He
was created C.M.G. in 1879, K.C.M.G. in 1883, and G.C.M.G
in 1889.
During his residence in Perak he maintained h is interest in
botany and especially in agriculture. Starting w ith the Kuala
Kangsar Garden where he planted most of the best fruits of
the country and introduced the fine naturalized Bornean lemon
winch is now fairly common in the State. Liman Bali, from the
island of Bali, undoubtedly the best pumoloe, was also intro-
duced by him and is cultivated by many Malays up and down
the river. Of useful timbers, Mahogany, Cedrela toona, and
l eak were planted and none of economics that were then procur-
able but what received attention. He was the first to plant
llevea brazihensis in the Native States from seeds and plants
supplied by the Botanic Gardens, Singapore, and planted at
Kuala Kangsar, and from there planted in many parts of the
State. I he oldest trees on Kamuning Estate and the large tree
< a two at Lady Weld's bungalow as well as those at S’fiawan
were all supplied from the Kuala Kangsar trees. Some stock
tiees of Ficus elastica and Manihot Glaziovii were also cultivated
m this garden.
Cinchona and coffee were tried at Waterloo and also at the
Hermitage, and at the latter garden many excellent English
vegetables were successfully grown.
I he Cicely garden halt way between Lady Weld’s bunga-
low and the Hermitage was planted with tea and liberian coffee
and the Gapi’s Garden surrounding. Lady Weld’s bungalow
planted with pepper, liberian coffee and fruits.
( 241 )
Sir Hugh Low also took a great deal of interest m intro-
ducing high class cattle, chiefly Jerseys and Alderneys, and Nellore
cattle from India, which were kept at Kuala Kangsa and on the
Taiping Hills, where the descendants of these cattle still remain
Men " like Sir Hugh Low are, alas, rare. Possessed of a
charming personality and an enthusiasm for the development
of agriculture in the Peninsula at a time when the importance
of this was not appreciated by others he laid the foundation
of this great work, and though much of his work was undone or
abandoned under later regimes, he will always remain as the
pioneer of agriculture in the Malay States. Ed.
RUBBER IN THE MALAY PENINSULA.
Mr. W. D. Bosanquet’s letter to the “Ceylon Weekly Times"
concerning the superiority of the Malay Peninsula as a planting
ground for rubber over Ceylon, has caused a storm of indignation
on the part of the various correspondents of the Ceylon papers.
Most of the correspondence thus elicited adds nothing to our
knowledge of any advantages possessed by Ceylon over the
Peninsula. One correspondent points out that Ceylon has a
great advantage in possessing a gold standard and fixity of
exchange, which the Malay Peninsula has not. It is, however,
quite conceivable that this advantage may also be possessed by
the Peninsula at no distant date.
Another correspondent writes, under the signature of
“Agricola,” stating that he has been to the Malay Peninsula, and
is most anxious to deter .people from going there to plant rubber.
On account of the intense heat and deadly climate, whole villages
are wiped out by the deadly malaria, and even the Tamil dies.
The climate is as bad as West Africa, and so on. This is
certainly news to those who have lived and worked healthfully
and comfortably in the Malay Peninsula, and have never found
out how dangerous a country it is. However, any would-be
settlers here who are scared at “ Agricola’s ” appalling account
can be reassured by the latest report of the United Planters’
Association in which it is proved conclusively that “ The death
rate on our estates is only 19 per mille against the general death
rate of the Indian population of 32.87 per mille; that the birth-
rate of planters’ free coolies is 24 per mille against the deathrate
of 19, and that after the first six months in this country the
improvement in physique of the coolies is very marked.”
This hardly bears out “Agricola’s” statements, and we have
no hesitation in stating that such a false description of the
healthiness of the country should never have been published, and
still less have been reprinted in a local Singapore paper as it has
been.
RUBBER SEED.
As we are constantly receiving requests for supply of rubber
seed for planting in various parts of the world, notably Ce\don,
India and the Archipelago, and as the Gardens seed crop is
lully booked a long way ahead this year, planters who would like
to dispose of their overplus of seed this year could inform the
Director of Gardens. Singapore, who would put them in com-
munication with others desiring the seed. Price of seed and
details necessary should be given. — Ed. A
RUBBER FROM THE MICHIE MACHINE.
Since the remarks on the Ceylon Rubber Machine in this
number of the “Bulletin ” were printed, we have received in the
Ceylon Weekly limes' a report of the sale of some of the
prepared product, which we extract : —
The Rubber market is firm. The price of Para is 5s. gd.
Straits sheet rubber sold on the 18th instant fetched 65. gd. A
small lot of last week’s crepe rubber has been resold at 6s. lo^d.
Samples of the new strip or “ Worm ” rubber believed to have
been prepared by the Michie process are well thought of. A
hundredweight was sold at Liverpool recently at 6s. 6 d. It is
now worth more.” ( London , May 19 th).
SINGAPORE MARKET REPORT.
May, 1905 .
Articles.
Quantity
Sold.
•
Highest
Price.
Lowest
Price.
j Tons.
$
s
Coffee — Palembang
- !
31.OO
31.00
Bali -
I IO
22.00
20.25
Liberian
H7
26.00
22.50
Copra
6,400
8.4O
7-6 5
Gam bier
3,600 ,
8.85
8 - 57 *
Cube Gam bier, Nos. i & 2
338 !
13.0°
12.00
Gutta Percha, 1st quality -
-
200.00
150.00
Medium
-
100.00
90.00
Lower
-
80.00
19.00
Borneo Rubber, 1st, 2nd, & 3rd
-
I4O.OO
90.00
Gutta Jelotong -
7 - 87 i
7 - 5 °
Nutmegs, No. iio’s
_
34.00
33.00
No. 8o’s
*
57.00
56.00
Mace, Banda
...
80.00
80.00
Amboyna
-
59.00
54.00
Pepper, Black -
1,640
26.37!
25-50
White (Sarawak )
3 22
37-75
36.50
Pearl Sago, Small .
25
4-75
3.80
Medium
5
4-50
4 - 5 °
Large
...
I 5-50
5 - 5 °
Sago Flour. No. 1
3,890
3-25
4.i2i
No. 2
300
.96
.80
Flake Tapioca, Small
464
4-55
4-30 1
Medium
5 °
4.60
4-55 '
Pearl Tapioca, Small
, 810
4-55
4-30
Medium
535
4.40
4-15 j
Bullet
65
5-70
5 - 50 '
Tin
j
3.290
80.87!
79.00
* Closing fair.
( 244 )
Export Telegram to Europe and America.
Fortnight ending 15 th May , 1905.
Tin
Do
Do
Gambier
Do ..
Do ..
Do ..
Cube Gamble
Black Pepper
Do
White Pepper
Do
Pearl Sago
Sago Flour
Do ..
Do ..
Tapioca Flake
T. Prl. & Bui
Tapioca Flou
Gutta Percha
Buffalo Hides
Pineapples
Gambier
Cube Gambier
Black Pepper
Do
White Pepper
Do
T. Flake & Pear
Nutmegs
Sago Flour
Pineapples
Do
Gambier
Do ..
Cube Gambier
Black Pepper
Do
Do
Do
White Pepper
Do
Do
Do
Copra . .
Do
Do
Do
Sago Flour
Tapioca Flake.
Tapioca Pearl .
Copra . .
Gambier
Cube Gambier.
T. Flake & Pear
Sago Flour
Gambier
Copra . .
Black Pepper .
White Pepper .
Do
Pineapples
Nutmegs
Black Pepper .
Do
White Pepper .
T. Flake & Pearl
Nutmegs
Tons.
’enan
Str Singapore & Pen ang
do
do
Singapore
do . .
do . .
do . .
do ..
do . .
Penang
Singapore
Penang
Singapore
do . .
do . .
do . .
Singapore &
do
Penang
Singapore
do . .
do . .
do ..
do . .
do . .
Penang
Singapore
Penang
Singapore & Penang
do
Singapore
do . .
do . .
do . .
do . .
do . .
do . .
do . .
Penang
do
Singapore
do . .
Penang
do
Singapore & Penang
do
do
do
do
U. Kingdom &/or . .
U. S. A.
Continent
Glasgow
London
Liverpool
U. K. Scjor Continent
United Kingdom
do . .
do . .
do . .
do
do
London
Liverpool . .
Glasgow
United Kingdom
do . .
do . .
do . .
do
do
U. S. A. ..
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
Continent . .
South Continent
North do
Continent . .
South Continent
North do
South
North
South
North
South
North
do
do
do
do
do
do
Marseilles . .
Odessa
Other S. Continent
North Continent ..
Continent
do
do
England
U. S. A
do
do
do
South Continent . .
Marseilles . .
South Continent . .
do ..
U. S. A
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
150
10
35
45
30
50
35
100
1600
125
270
410
420
40
1 00
11,000 cases
550
70
90
120
30
650
41
475 °
2500
50
175
10
220
80
30
15
40
780
34 °
1025
825
100
130
Export Telegram to Europe and America.
Fortnight eliding 31 st May, 1905.
Tin
Do
Do
Gambier
Do , .
Do
Do .. J
Cube Gambier
Black Pepper
Do ..
White Pepper
Do
Pearl Sago
Sago flour
Do ..
Do ..
Tapioca Flake
T. Prl. & Bull.
Tapioca Flour
Gutta Percha
Buffalo Hides
Pineapples
Gambier
Cube Gambier
Black Pepper
Do
White Pepper
Do
T. Flake & Pe
Nutmegs
Sago flour
Pineapples
Do ..
Gambier
Do ..
Cube Gambier
Black Pepper
Do
Do
Do
White Pepper
Do ..
Do ..
Do ..
Copra . .
Do ..
Do ..
Do ..
Sago Flour
Tapioca Flak
Tapioca Pear
Copra . ..
Gambier
Cube Gantb'ier
T. Flake & Pearl
Sago Flour
Gambier
Copra . .
Black Pepper
White Peppe
Do . .
Pineapples
Nutmegs
Black Pepper
Do ..
White Pepper
T. Flake & Pear
Nutmegs
Gambier
Black Pepper
Str Singapore & Penang
do
do
Singapore
do . .
do . .
do . .
do . .
do . .
Penang . .
Singapore
Penang . .
Singapore
do
do
do
Singapore & Penang
do
Penang . .
Singapore
do . .
do . .
do . .
do . .
do . .
Penang . .
Singapore
Penang . .
Singapore & Penang
do
Singapore
do . .
do . .
do . .
do . .*
do . -
do . .
Penang . .
do *. .
Singapore
do . .
Penang . .
do
Singapore & Penang
do
do
do
do
do
do
Singapore
Ir do . .
do ..
do ...
do . .
do . .
do . ,
do . .
do . .
do . .
do . .
do . .
do . .
Penang
do
do .
do .
L Contracts
To.
Tons.
U. Kingdom &/or
U. S. A. ..
Continent . .
Glasgow
London
Liverpool . .
U. K. &/or Continen
United Kingdom
do
do
do
do
do
London
Liverpool
Glasgow
United Kingdom
do
do
do
do
do
US. A. ..
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do . .
Continent . .
South Continent
North do
Continent . .
South Continent
North do
do
do
do
do
do
do
South
North
South
North
South
North
Marseilles
Odessa
Other S. Continen
North Continent
Continent . .
do
do
England • . .
U. S. A. ..
do
do
do
South Continent
Marseilles
South Continent
do
U. S. A. ..
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
1226
635
493
25
325
10
75
50
80
25
J>5
75
220
90
150
65
65
10.500 cases
975
100
240
3°
35
325
M
2250
2500
25
400
65
175
150
10
760
1325
2200
43°
*5°
480
f 1600
1 IXOO
Kelantan.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings taken at the Duff Development Concession , Ltd.,
Kelantan , for the month of May, 1905.
V
Malacca.
District.
rS
cd pH
6
5-1 <u
rt 5 -i
t uj
tn
3 4 >
Durian Daun Hospital ; 22.819
n
po
c
cd
1534
Temperature.
Hygrometer.
Mean Dry Bulb.
Maximum.
Minimum.
Range.
Mean Wet Bulb.
Vapour Tension.
1
Dew Point.
Humidity.
" v. ; : : .
1
(
83.2
Colonial Surgeon’s Office,
Malacca. 12th June, 1905.
88.2 | 75-6 1 12.6 j 80.5
1.007 72
ff'S
§0
Oh
cd
.s
*cd
pci
3
o
H
d
-T 3
3 a
.S d
cd o
■S W
£ be
cd G
CD .—
5 h
o
88 K 1 4- j 5 i *35
F. B. CROUCHER,
Colonial Surgeon .
Muar
Abstract of Meteorological Readings for May, 1905.
Lanadron Estate
11
3
Temperature.
Hygrometer.
c
.2
District.
is 0
1 ® «
S rn
c?d
c
JJ
1 9
1
1
j 3
1 0
[ V
u
S 3
«J jj
a
3
C*
a
£
<u
£
«
H
G
Q ^
StTD
"a
3
® 3
s 1
<u £
1 a
‘w
CtJ
C
8
§
Op
S3
! E
*
1
1 ^;
1
§
<a
&c
c
a
peS
Mean
Bulb.
Vapour
sion.
O
Oh
S
4)
Q
*3
a
3
s
3 3
> «*H
1 4> 0
a.
‘3
1 «
73
0
H
Si
91
72
°F.
19
Muar, 13 th June, 1905.
°F.
74
Ins.
5 51
OH w
^ tuO
tn c
-r
Ins.
2.06
ROGER PEARS.
Penang,
District.
Criminal Prison
Observatory
Penang, 9 th June , 1905.
Abstract of Metrological Ridings for May, 1905.
£/)
v
0)
Temperature.
Hygrometer.
G -
c*
3
to
3
<D
u
1
1
;
O
3
‘C
3
T3
13
o
d i
d
O
13
T.
t> _
£ -3
3
If)
G
£
3
PQ
*
"3
.2
*En
g
OJ
J*h
5
a
3
•a
od
Mean Baro:
at 32 0 Fa
1
3
a
a-
u
Q
a
OJ
0
3
0
a
s
1 Minimum
Range.
OJ
s
3
oe
%
H
i-<
O
Cl.,
nJ
>
Dew Poin
Humidity
bn
.5
'E3
<D
u
Pu
13
pci
13
0
H
Greatest '
hours.
Ins.
°F
°F
°F
4 •
°F
| °F
■ °F
°F
°F
O/
/o
1
Ins.
Ins.
2 g.goo
143-4
79 - 8
Bg-5
74.2
' i5*3
| , 5.6
! 77-7
7M 6
70
N.W.
! 6.58
1.68
1
!
vO
C. MUGLISTON,
Colonial Surgeon , Penang.
Perak
Abstract of Meteorological Readings in the various Districts of the State for May, 1905.
District.
Taiping
Kuala Kangsar
Batu Gajah
Gopeng
Ipoh
Kampar
Telok An son
Tapah
Parit Buntar
Ragan Serai
Selama
Mean
Barome-
trical
Pressure
at 32°
Fah.
H 9
r 55
State Surgeon’s Office,
21 st June, 1905.
Mean
Dry
Bulb.
81.72
80.52
81.27
80.06
80.96
80.80
8l. 12
82.65
82.62
81.94
92
92
93
93
93
92
93
9 1
92
9i
72
7 2
69
63
71
70
73
7 1
65
7 1
73
Range.
20
20
2 4
30
22
*9
22
26
21
18
Hygrometer.
Prevailing
Direction of
Winds.
Mean
Wet
Bulb.
Vapour !
' Tension, j
Dew
Point.
Humi-
1 dity.
77-98
911
...
! 84
76.56
861
1 8 3 i
77.63
900
■ 85
76.40
863 :
85
77-43
894
85
75-37
809
77
77.00
874
83
77.78
888
80
77-92
895
80
78.15
914
...
84
Total
Rain-
fall.
Great-
est
Rainfall
in 24
hours.
1 14-69
2.10
8.94
I * 9 °
10.30
2.15
10.91
1.64
11.60
1.63
j 3-36 j
2 -43
1 T -75 |
3.69
14.26 :
1.50
6.59
1. 10
! 6.3 1
1.30
• 14.18 I
2.22
WRIGHT,
State Surgeon, Per ah.
Selangor.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings in the various Districts of the State for May , 1905.
District,
General Hospitalv Kuala Lumpur
Pudoh Gaol Hospital
District Hospital
Klang
Kuala Langat
Kajang
Kuala Selangor
Kuala Kubu
Serendah
Rawang
Beri-beri Hospital, Jeram
Sabah, Bernam
Mean Barometrical
Pressure at 32 0 Fah.
Maximum in Sun,
Temperature.
Hygrometer.
Prevailing Direction
of Winds.
| Mean
Dry Bulb.
| Maximum. j
Minimum. 1
Range.
Mean
Wet Bulb. !
Vapour
Tension.
Dew Point.
Humidity.
29.878
147.6
794
89.8
71.9
179
7 6 3
0.845
74.2
84
Calm
. 1 * *
88.0
70.8
17.2
* 4
87.6
74.2
13-4
* *
9 i 3
73 3
18.0
s 7-5
75 -o
12.5
9 i 5
72.1
19.4
• ■
91.0
75-9
r 5-i
(
89.9
7 i 3
18.6
. .
to
t_n
State Surgeon’s Office,
Kuala Lumpur, 20 th June, 1905.
E. A. O. TRAVERS,
State Surgeon, Selangor.
Singapore.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings for May , 1905 .
<D
u
3
w
Temperature.
Hygrometer.
ui
T3
a
>
District.
Mean Barometrical Pre
at 3 2° Fah.
Maximum in Sun.
sf
*3
PQ
>N
Si
Q
c
5
<D
2
Maximum.
Minimum.
<u
he
a
ctf
PEJ
Mean Wet Bulb.
Vapour Tension.
Dew Point.
Humidity.
k"
4.
0
a
0
tj
<u
Si
5
bo
rt
>
<D
Si
Total Rainfall.
Greatest Rainfall during
hours.
Kadang Kerbau Hospital
Ins.
°F
°F
°F
°F
°F
°F
Ins.
°F
%
S.S.E.
S.W.
Ins.
Ins.
Observatory
29.886
136.9
8, -.2
89.9
74-7
X 5-2
78.6
.912
76.9
81.
9.36
2.79
D. K. McDOWELL, P.C.M. Officer.
Surgeon's Office, 21st June, 1905. A B LEICESTER, M.D.
( 253 )
Register of Rainfall at Negri Sembilan Hospitals
for May, 1905.
Date
Seremban.
K. Pilah.
Tampin.
Jelebu.
Port Dickson.
Mantin,
Inches
dcs.
nches
dcs.
Inches! dcs.
Inches
dcs.
Inches
dcs.
Inches
dcs.
1
11
12
08
2
. .
35
15
..
07 ;
..
. .
1
28
3
••
18
4
1 1
55
fa
1
37
5
2
23
39
2
15
. .
76
57
6
25 ,
7 i
7
8
01
9
y.
. .
1 47
10
. .
36
r 5
1
87
11
*•
1
17
. .
12
..
22 '
1
07
24
90
. .
52
* *
19
13
* *
63
2
5 °
17
14
75
.. 1 10
• .
27
..
2
10
J 5
51
13
28
2
21
39
16
93
40
. .
04
2
16
* *
02
1 7
25
22
45
44
24
01
18
04
07
. - 20
1
3 °
••
07
19-
86
54
28
65
. .
19
24
20
2
04
9 °,
. •
42
. .
* *
1
3 °
21
. .
13
85
•
43
1
55
. .
4 i
22
01
. .
03
23
. .
57
60
. . 1 . .
1
°7
24
52
,
07
1 . .
34
b 3
25
2 00
11
17
26
. .
06
27
. .
13
1
35
14
!
. .
28
78
2 «
20
..
l 72
2
19
29
09
30
31
75
i
13
Total
12
92
6
13
7 °4
! *—
11
73
j 12
74
13
93
State Surgeon’s Office, Seremban, R. VAN GEYZEL,
13^ June, 1905. Apothecary.
o
AGRICULTURAL BULLETIN
OF THE
STRAITS
AND
FEDERATED MALAY STATES.
N T o. 7.]
JULY, 1905.
[VOL. IV.
NOTES ON THE COLLECTION OF AROIDS
CULTIVATED IN THE BOTANIC
GARDENS, SINGAPORE.
Aroids.
Cultivation. — Aroids, as cultivated plants, are chiefly known as
ornamental foliage plants, and as such many are very popular
among horticulturists. Especially useful as pot plants for the house
and verandah with their noble foliage, sometimes beautifully varie-
gated and usually very easy of cultivation, some at least are to be
found in all gardens of the East. A smaller number belonging to
the genera Colocasia , Alocasia , Xanthosoma and Amor p hop ha lias, are
commonly cultivated by natives for their edible tubers or rhizomes
and two at least Colocasia antiquorum and the aquatic Pistia stra-
tiotes form a large part of the food of the Chinese pig, for which
they are largely cultivated.
The grassy leaved Jeringu or Sweet ITag, Acorus Calamus , a na-
tive of the North temperate region, which has been widely spread all
over the world, is cultivated in most villages for its aromatic rhizome
formerly in great repute as a drug, and still an important article of
the native Pharmacopoeia. It is cultivated in ditches or damp
spots, and grows very readily. It seldom produces flower here but
on one occasion, I found a number of plants producing the thick
spike of green flowers, from the leaf -like flat stem.
' Aquatic Aroids.
These aroids require to be grown entirely in water either in a
tank where the water from time to time is changed, or in a pool
or slow-running stream. The following are the chief kinds;—
Cryptocoryne, small aquatic aroids, with floating leaves (except one
species) usually found in masses in forest streams. The spathes
have long tubes, which rise to the surface, and project above it
256
ending in a more or less tailed purple or yellow limb. They are
chiefly botanically interesting from the curious valve at the bottom
of the tube above the flower spike which allows of the entrance of
minute flies which fertilize the flowers, but prevents the entrance of
water. Several species occur in the forests of the Peninsula. C. cili-
aris differs in its erect fleshy leaves, and is a tidal mud plant very
common in the muddy streams and rivers near the sea. Although
it almost invariably grows in salt mud in a wild state, it grows well
in fresh water in the gardens. These plants not only can be raised
from seed, but also produce long suckers by which they can be
reproduced.
Lagenandra is a plant of similar habit from Ceylon.
Pistia stratiotesy the water lettuce “ Kambiang or Kiambang ” of %
the Malays, is a curious floating plant with bright green leaves, in
a rosette, largely cultivated by the Chinese in ponds for feeding
pigs. It propagates itself rapidly by means of suckers, and is a
popular plant in many places for aquariums.
Lasia spinosa , Cyrtospenna lasioides and Aglaonema Griffithii
are also aroids which require to be grown in water. All are natives
of the Peninsula. The first two have thorny stems and petioles.
Lasia has finely-cut leaves and a curious long purple spathe,
Cyrtosperma has large heart-shaped leaves. They are propagated
easily from seed or cuttings of the stems.
Tuberous Aroids.
To this group belong Arisaema, Typhonium , Amorphophallus ,
Hapaline , Caladium , Anchomanes and Dracontium. The stems
are reduced to subterranean tubers which, during growth, throw off
laterally other small tubers from which they can be propagated.
The plants are grown in pots or tubs, and the tubers when planted
soon throw up a shoot from the centre, which develops into leaves
and flower spikes sometimes simultaneously. In other cases, the
leaves appear first, one by one in AmorphophalluSy and then the
leaf falls and the inflorescence is produced. There are several kinds f
of Arisaema to be found in the hill districts of the Peninsula They
are commonly known as Cobra flowers, from the hooded spathe
! suggesting the hood of a cobra. The most popular is Arisaema
fimbriatum from the Lankawi Islands with large trifoliate leaves
and a purplostriped spathe, with a long purple-plumed spadix.
The Typhoniunts are garden weeds with entire or lobed leaves
and large or small purple or yellow spathes.
The A morphophalli are worth cultivating not only for their strik-
ing foliage, but also from their extraordinary inflorescence. The
tubers are often of immense size, those of A. Prainii and A. Rex
being often a foot through and that of A. Titanum very much larger.
Each tuber, which is rounded with a depression on the top, throws
up a single leaf, which in large plants attains a height of 6 feet or
more. The leaf stalk in A. Prainii and some others is mottled with
white dark and light green and grey, and is often 2 or 3 inches thick
and quite succulent; from its mottled coloring, these plants have re-
b/m
257
ceived the name of Python plants. In A. Rex and other species
the leaf stalk is dark green and rough. The blade of the leaf is
finely cut up into leaflets, and is often several feet across. arge
tubers usually give large leaves and large inflorescence, but even
small ones will flower though the spike is smaller; after lasting tor
some time, the leaf withers and falls. It is then cut off and the tuber
is allowed to dry in the pot till another shoot appears in the centre,
when it is watered. The tuber usually throws up thus leaf alter
leaf, but sooner or later instead of the leaf an . inflorescence is pro-
duce!. Usually, if the leaf withers gradually, it is followed by an-
other leaf, if it falls over very suddenly an inflorescence may be ex-
pected. This is borne on a short thick stalk and consists of a spathe
with a tubular base and a broad spreading limb, from the centre o
which rises the flower spike topped by a conic or elongate barren
portion often of remarkable form. In A. Prainn , the commonest
species in the Peninsula, the spathe is lemon-yellow or ivory-white
with the tubular part inside deep-purple, the spadix yellow with a
thick yellowish white cone. A. Rex has spathe and spadix of a dark
reddish brown. A. Titanum is an enormous species with a spadix
sometimes as much as five feet tall, dark-purple, the spathe being
green and purple, while the stem reaches tree-like dimensions. In
nearly all the species the inflorescence emits at first a horrible odour
of putrid meat which goes off in a few hours. The inflorescence
lasts for three or four days and then withers away.
Anchomanes and Dracontium are plants of the same style as
Amorphophallus ; they have nev£r flowered here. Hapahne is a
rather insignificant little round-leaved plant with a slender whitish
spathe and very small tubers. The species are natives of Indo-
. Siam.
The most popular, however, of all the tuberous aroids are the
Caladiums. These are natives of South America, but, being spread
over the world as cultivated plants, often appear in waste ground
and other places as if they were wild ; most of the cultivated forms
are hybrids of C. b 'xolor and C. marrnoratuni and C . picturatum ,
besides which there is the small-leaved white and green-leafed
plant commonly known as C. argy rites ( C . Humboldtii). All the
best hybrids are obtained from European nurseries and tubers of
the newestand best kinds are expensive, but all can be grown in the
Straits with due care and, indeed, both in Penang and Singapore
t'lere are a few very fine private collections. »
Freshly imported tubers should be inspected for decay or mould
which should be thoroughly cleaned off and the tuber dusted with
powdered charcoal ancU regularly inspected until sufficiently sprouted
to be potted. It is well, when potting, to fill the pots with a pre-
pared compost of well-rotted manure, leaves, a little good loam,
some burnt earth and sand; fill the pot with the compost, make a
.hole for the tuber which should be filled with sand, or if an unsound
tuber charcoal, press moderately firm and keep in a cool shaded
place. The -soil is usually fairly damp, and it is not necessary to
water until a few freshly made roots are seen ; then the plants will
258
require water, sparingly at first, and as the plants grow more light,
Jkeep growing quickly by giving more water and light and when
strong enough pot into larger pots according to size of tuber. To
obtain well-coloured leaves with all the spots, lines and colours pro
minent, the plants must be gradually exposed, but care must be taken
that the leaves are not “ wilted or caught ” by the sun.
As the plants gradually mature and become “past,” they should
be removed to a dry place and the watering reduced and finally
dried off and rested in the pots as they stand. The tubers may
remain dormant for three months; it is necessary to occasionally
inspect them as the pots should not be dust dry and as the tubers
sprout, repeat the treatment as before. This is the time that the
different sorts may be increased by dividing the tubers. With
some varieties, this ts not possible for two or more years, but nearly
all admit of some division. It is assumed that only the freshly
made tubers will be removed, which is really an advantage ; it is of
course possible to cut or break up the old tuber as is done with a
potato, but that means a weakened plant.
Edible Aroids.
Among the aroids cultivated in many parts of the world, one of
the commonest is Colocasia antiquorum, now widely dispersed in all
parts of the world warm enough for it. Probably a native of India,
it lias ovate peltate leaves, usually light green, but there are also
several pretty forms with blotches of purple or black on the leaves
and stalks such are the varieties Fontanesii and /llustris. It is
chiefly cultivated for pig food by the Chinese, but the long shoots
are also eaten by natives, boiled with tamarinds. It is known by
the Malays as “ Keladi Babi ; ” other varieties are “ Keladi Lilin”
and “ Keladi Serakit.”
The Malay name (< Keladi ” corresponds with the West Indian
and South American “Tania” and “Eddoes” and includes all the
edible tubers and rhizomes mentioned in the list appended.
In the Malay Peninsula, edible aroids are mo'st easy of cultivation
and they even often survive in suitable places as naturalised plants.
Xanthosomas are plants with large cordate leaves on long stalks,
of quite t he habit of the big Alocasias but are natives of South
America. X. Lindenii , with its white-striped leaves, has long been
a popular decorative plant. X. violacea and X. robusta are culti-
vated for their edible rhizomes.
X. violacea is known as r Keladi Kelamino.”
Ornamental Aroids.
Besides those previously mentioned, as worth cultivating for their
beauty, we have a large number of handsome plants, often easily
grown in pots, or 0.1 rockeries, which are very popular.
Homalomenas , common in our forests, are an easy group of cultiva-
tion. The large ones have heart-shaped or arrow-shaped leaves,
of a rich green. The most popular is H. Singaporensis with bright
red leaf stalks. Its home is not known, but it is certainly not a native
of Singapore.
The smaller Homalomenas ( Chamaecladons ) are often very pret-
tily marked with silver blotches on the leaves, or the leaves may be
dark red. They are best grown in pans The prettiest variegated
ones come from the limestone rocks of Borneo. Curmeria Wallisii
of South America is easy to grow in the same way, and is popular
from its broad leaves mottled with light and dark green and red leaf
stalks.
Schizmatoglottis is a genus of aroids of the same style as Homa -
lomenv, and as easy to grow; some of the species have the leaves
spotted with light green or yellow or silver, or with a central silver
feather, or are otherwise prettily marked; all are Malayan and some
pretty species are abundant in our woods.
Alocasias are always admired for their bold heart-shaped or oval
often metallic looking leaves. The common species here, A. denu -
data , “Keladi Ular, H is very variable, and a number of varieties have
received names. It grows in hedge banks and woods everywhere,
the leaves are narrowly arrow-shaped ( 7. longiloba ) ovate (A. Cur-
tisii) or broadly arrow-shaped, the common form denudata, usually
dark green above, paler beneath, with the nerves of a lighter colour;
there are forms with silvery main nerves, and also with all the reti-
culation silvery (A. Thibautiana ), or with the back of the leaf
deep purple. This latter form is not always easy to tell from A.
Lowii but in A. denudata , the petiole is always clouded, while in A.
Lowii , it is light green.
A. Lowii is a limestone rock plant growing in Borneo, and in
Perak, Selangor, etc. It often attains a great size and superb
plants are often on view at our exhibitions. The Perak form, with
the basal lobes meeting and joining more than in the typical Borneo
form, is known as A. Lowii ' grandis.
A. denudata and its variable varieties include some fine forms,
one of the A. longiloba in the Singapore Gardens is finely marked,
and the graceful redurved leaf is about 2 ' 6" long, equally striking
too is its prettily mottled leaf stalk. .This form compares with A.
Lowii in appearance as does Anthurium waroequeanum, with An-
thurium crystallinum .
Alocasia Sanderiana and A. cuprea do not grow well in Singa-
pore and require a good deal of care, A. Villeneuyii and A. ovali fo-
lium are bold green-leaved plants, acceptable in th§ Singapore
collection although poor in comparison with the deeply coloured and
finely marked species.
Sckizocasia Porte i and Xanthosoma Lindenii , are both well known
in and about the Straits as Exhibition plants and occasionally some
remarkable fine specimens may be seen.
Philodendrons , are New World plants, epiphytes, or, as the name
implies, lovers of trees, and when unrestricted attain lofty heights; all
the species are attractive, with some the leaves are cut into deep
segments, some are finely variegated, others are green-leaved with
260
bright coloured stipules, but with a little trouble most of the species
can be grown as pot or tub plants, on trellis or baloon for the smaller
specif, s, in pots or tubs for the larger ones with a duplicate pot or
tub ready as the host becomes too large for the reception of the
climbing" offspring, a large rosette of leaves with the decorative
species. In this way, P. giganteum, P. Mamei and another similar
aroid, Monster a ddiciosa, as well as some of the Rhaphidophoras , are
regularly grown in the Singapore Gardens.
Anthu'r turns are beautiful plants; some have velvet-looking leaves
with a fine metallic lustre, others are equally striking for their highly
coloured flower bracts, perhaps the best known example pf this
genus in the Straits is A. crystallinum. The Singapore collection
includes one or two fairly good hybrids raised in the Gardens. Nearly
all the species are of easy culture and are easy to propagate, a few
from seeds, others from joints of the stem. Ordinary soil without
any manure and plenty of gritty matter with pieces of charcoal,
bricks, and abundant drainage is all that is necessary ; in fact, if kept
well watered and sufficiently shaded, our climate will do the rest.
A few species, A. Scherzerianum , A. Andreanum , A. Veitchu re-
quire more careful treatment,
Dieffenbachias, Aglaonemas and Homalomenas of some kinds
are grown in all gardens in the tropics, either as pot plants or
in the shrubberies ; -all are very easy of culture and grow fast in rich
soil. In most of these three genera, the plant eventually produces
an erect or more or less erect stem, by which it can be easily pro-
pagated, the stem being cut into joints and planted in a pan of sandy
soil when the segments will soon send up fresh shoots. Aglaonema
costatum and siamense have creeping rhizomes, which can be broken
up, and some of the f{ omalomenas bud off laterally so as to be easily
propagated.
The Dieffenbachias with their noble green leaves often mottled
with lighter green or white are natives of South America. The
Aglaonemas are Malayan. These plants are very suitable for house
decoration as they stand the dryness of the airland dust better than
most plants. Aglaonema tostatum, a low growing form with deep
black green leaves spotted with white, or with a central white bar,
was discovered by Mr. Curtis, in the Lankawi Islands, and is a very
popular plant, as it grows with great rapidity, soon filling a good
sized pan and standing the discomforts of house-life and even of
ship-life very well, and always looking handsome.
Aglaonema commutation , Haenkei and oblongifolium especially the
finely white-striped variety, Curtisii, from Penang Hill, are taller
plants, of easy culture, either in pots or on rockeries or in shady
parts of the garden.
Among cultivated aroids in the Straits, the great desideratum is
the so-called Arum lily ( Richardia africand). On the plains, these
fine decorative plants are a failure and indeed at 5,000 feet merely
exist, although the yellow-spathed R. Elliotiana might do better,
their ' loss, however, is compensated for in the handsome leaves,
26 1
bright bracts and remarkable stems of many species of the appended
list, which are perhaps more easily cultivated in the Straits than
many other parts of the tropics.
LIST OP AROIDS CULTIVATED IN THE
BOTANIC GARDENS, SINGAPORE.
Crytocoryne ciliata , Fisch. Aquatic.
Malaya.
C. cor data, Griff. ,,
Malacca,
C. griffithii , Schott. ,,
Malay Peninsula.
C. purpurea , Ridl. ,,
Do.
C. ponte derise folia, Schott. ,,
Johor.
Lagenandra toxica via , Dalz. „
Ceylon.
Pistia strut iotes, L. ,, “
Kiamban*'
Tropics.
Arisaema anomalum , Hemsl, Tubers
, (Tuber)
Perak.
A. fimbriatum , Masters. ,,
Lankawi.
Typhonium javanicum, Miq. ,,
Malaya.
T. trilobatum
Do.
T. cuspidatum , BI. „
Indo-Malaya.
T. divaricatum
Do.
Amorphophallus Rex , Prain. ,,
Malay Peninsula.
A. campanulatus, Bl. ,,
Edible
India.
A. Prainii , Hook, fil. „
Selangor
A. hsemalo spadix ,
Hook, fil, „
Lankawi.
A. titanum , Becc. ,,
Sumatra.
A. oncophyllus ,
Hook, fil. ,,
Sumatra.
A. sativus , Bl. „
Edible
Java.
A. variabilis Bl. ,,
Malaya.
A. sp.
Johor.
A nchomanes Hooker i, Schott. „
West Africa.
Hapaline Brownii > Flook, fil. ,,
Kedah
Remusatia vivipara , Schott.
Siam.
Cotocasia antiquorum “Keladi’
’ Edible
Tropics.
C. do ., var. Fontamsii, Tania Eddoe.
C. do ., var. nymphex folia
C. do., var. illustris
5 >
C. Devansayana , Lind.
) »
New Guinea.
C. affinis , Schott ( Alocasia Jenningsi )
India.
C. gigantea, Hook, fil.
Selangor.
Alocasia cucullata, Schott.
India.
A. indica , Schott.
Edible.
var. metal lie a
A. macrorrhim, Schott.
Edible.
East Indies.
A. var. variegata
A. denudata } Engl.
Singapore.
A. do., var. longiloba
f Java and Malay
(, Peninsula.
262
Alocasia denudata , var. Curtisii
A. do., var. Thibautiana
A. Lowii , Hook, fil, (A. veitchii , Schott)
A. do , var. grandis
A. Singaporensis , Hort.
A. Lindenii, Hort.
A. Sanderiana , Bull.
A. Villeneuvei , Lind.
A. Bee car it , Engl. (A. Perakensis)
A. ovalifolium , Kidl,
A. cuprea , Koch.
Schizocasia Portei , Schott.
Catadium bicolor , Vent. Tuber.
C. and many varieties and
hybrids.
C. Humboldtii , Schott.
(C. argyrites )
Xanthoso?na Lindenii , Engler
Rhizome.
X.
violaceum , Schott.
Edible.
X.
robustum , Schott.
Edible.
Philodendron acrocardium , Schott.
Climber.
Ph.
asperatum ^ Koch.
Do.
Ph.
gloriosnm, Andre.
Ph.
imperialis, Schott.
Ph.
lacerum, Schott.
Ph.
verrucosum, Mathieu.
(Ph. Carderi, Hort.)
Ph.
Wendlandi. Schott.
Ph .
nobile
Ph.
giganteum , Schott.
Ph.
triparti turn, Schott. ?
Ph.
Mamei, Andr.
Rhektophyllum R. mirabile, N. E. Br.
(Nepthytis picturata , Bull.)
Aglaonema Griffithii , Schott. , Aquatic.
A. oblongifolium , Schott. Terrestrial.
A. do ., var. Curtissi,
A. Schottianum , Miq.
H. Haenkei, Schott.
commuted um, Bl.
H. do., var. pictum
A. simplex , Bl.
A. angusti folium, Br.
A. Mannii , Hook, fil.
A. costatum , N. E. Br.
A. do., var. inornatum
A. do., var. virens
A. Siamense,
A. pictum, Kunth.
A. minus, Hook, fil.
Lankawi.
Borneo.
/ Borneo, Malay
(_ Peninsula*
Perak.
Unknown.
New Guinea.
Philippines.
Borneo.
Borneo, Perak.
Malay Peninsula.
Borneo.
Philippines.
South America.
Brazil.
New Grenada.
West Indies.
Mexico.
Brazil.
Brazil.
Colombia.
Brazil.
West Indies.
Colombia.
Central America.
South America.
Trop. America.
West Indies.
Ecuador.
West Africa.
Malacca.
Malay Peninsula.
Penang,
Philippines.
Java.
Java.
Singapore.
West Africa.
Lankawi, Siam.
Do.
Do.
Siam.
Malay Islands.
Singapore.
Aglaonema
minus , var. maculatum
Singapore.
A.
versicolor , Hook, fil.
Malay Islands.
A.
rotundum , Brown.
Siam.
M ontrichardia arborescens , Schott,
Brazil.
Homanolema sagittifolium . Jungh.
Malay Peninsula.
H.
, paludosa , Hook, fil.
Do.
H.
rostratum , Griff.
Do.
H.
rube.cens, Kunth.
Do.
H.
caerulescens , Jungh.
Do.
H.
var . ponteder'ce folia,
Do.
H.
Singaporensis , Regel.
Unknown.
H.
humilis , Hook, fil.
Penang.
H.
Griffithii , Hook, fil.
Singapore.
H.
<fo., var. obliquata
H.
do ., var. Kingii
H.
pumila , Hook, fil.
Singapore.
H.
<&>., var . purpuras cens
H.
do var, argyrea
H.
Curtisii, Rid I.
Perak.
H.
angustifolia, Hook, fil.
Malay Peninsula.
H.
argentea , Ridl.
Malacca.
H.
fasciata , Ridl.
Borneo.
H.
( Curmeria ) Wallisii Regel.
Colombia.
Piptospatha Ridley ii, Hook, fil.
Johor.
Schismatoglottis calyptrata, Zoll.
Malaya.
Sch.
var. concolor
Sch.
var. picta
Sch.
var. albidomaculata
Sch.
Wallichii , Hook, fil.
Singapore.
Sch.
var. fasciata
Sch.
crispata , Hook, fil.
Borneo.
Sch.
pule hr a, &. E. Br.
Do.
Sch.
longispatha , Bull.
Do.
Sch .
brqvipes , Hook, fil.
Perak.
Sch .
multiflora , Ridl.
Borneo.
Dieflenbachia baraquinianu , Lem.
Brazil.
D.
picta, Schott
Do.
D.
olbia, Lind.
D.
Jenmanni , Veitch.
British Guiana.
D.
seguine , Schott. •
D.
imperialism Lind.
Peru.
D.
Regina e
D ,
Bowmanni , Veitch.
Brazil.
D,
Wallisii Linden.
Colombia,
D.
picturata
D.
meleagris, Linden.
D.
Leopoldii, Bull.
Venezuela.
Rhodospatha blanda, Schott.
Brazil.
Anadendrum montcrium , Schott. Climber.
Singapore.
A .
marginatum, Hook, fil. „
Selangor.
264
Anadendrum medium , Schott. ( Pathos
celatocaulis) Climber.
Spathiphyllum cannaefolium , Schott. Herb.
S'. Patinii , N. E. Br. „
Monstera deliciosa , Adans. Climber.
Scindapsus pictus, Hassk. „
SV. kederacea , Schott. „
Sc.
argyr&a , Engl.
71
Sc.
Beccarii, Engl.
17
Rhaphidophora Maingayi , Hook, fil.
J ?
R.
minor, Hook, fil.
13
R.
pertusa , Schott.
77
R.
Korthalsii , Hook, fil.
y
R.
decursiva , Schott.
1}
R.
aurea, ( Pothos aurea )
n
R.
laetevirens , Ridl.
R.
humile , Ridl. (Amydrium
humile)
R.
giganteum , Ridl.
spinosa, Thw. Aquatic.
Dracontium polyphyllum , L.
Podolasia stipitata, Br.
Cyrtosperma lasioides , Griff. Aquatic.
C. Johnstonii , N. E. Br.
C. ferox, Lind & Brown. Aquatic.
Anthurium Andraeanum , Lind.
Baker i, Hook, fil.
^4. crystallinum. Linden.
A. ferrierense, Hort.
A. macrolobum, Bull.
A. pedato-radiatum, Schott.
A. strictum , N. E. Br.
A . Wardianmn,
A . Warocqueanum , Moore., \
A. giganteum , Engl.
A. splendidum, Bull.
A. coriaceum , Engl.
A . insigne, Masters.
^4. ornatum, Schott.
A. Veitchii , Masters
Pothos scandens, Lind. Climber.
A corns Calamus , Lind. “Jeringu” Rhizome.
A. gramineus,
A . „ var. variegatus
Singapore.
Trop. America.
Colombia.
South America.
Malaya.
Do.
Philippines.
Borneo, Malay
Peninsula.
Singapore.
Malay Peninsula.
Ceylon.
Singapore.
India.
Solomon Islands.
Penang.
Penang.
Singapore.
Malay Peninsula.
Guiana.
Malay Peninsula
Do.
Solomon Isles.
Perak, Borneo.
Colombia.
Central America.
Peru.
Garden hybrid.
Do.
Mexico.
Paraguay.
South America.
Colombia.
Ecuador.
Colombia.
Brazil.
South America.
Venezuela.
Ceylon.
Whole World
China.
265
COTTON EXPERIMENTS
IN THE BOTANIC GARDENS, SINGAPORE.
During the year 1904, the Botanic Gardens, Singapore, received
from the Inspector-General of India, a large series of seeds of vari-
ous cotton plants obtained through the agency of District Officers
in various parrs of India. There were about 80 kinds in all. These
were planted in the most suitable soil available in the Gardens, and
carefully tended. The seed, in most cases, germinated well, but a
few strains such as Nagpur, Griffin, Peterkin’s Long Staple, Haw-
kin's improved, Trint’s big ball, and some others completely failed.
But, as these wee nearly all in one set of beds, I attribute this
' rather to the fault of the soil, than the seed.
Of this set of Nagpur cottons, the best grower was Bourbon, but it
failed to fruit sufficiently heavily.
Nearly all the plants flowered well, but the fruiting proved a
failure, the pods being destroyed by vermin before they were ripe.
The Nagpur broad-leaved varieties were more severely attacked by
the Ieafrollers than were the narrow-leaved forms ( Neglectum series)
and were also more liable to attack by the red cotton bug, Dysderccus
cingulatus. Of the Neglectum series, Braisa and Jalna yellow, made
the best growth, but the pods produced were very small.
Egyptian and American cottons grew fairly well, but suffered
badly from pests, and I am inclined to think that the Sea-Island and
Upland strains are most suitable for this country.
I should not however recommend any one here, at least in the
South of the Peninsula, to attempt to grow cotton commercially.
The number of pests which attack the plant in this part of the
country is very large indeed.
A leaf-rolling caterpillar, and a small boring caterpillar attack-
ing the shoots damage the vegetative organs severely. The fruit, as
soon as it sets, is attacked by the :*ecl bug, a pink moth-caterpillar
which devours the seeds, and a minute dipterous larva. These so
utterly destroy the fruit that not one per cent, comes to maturity.
Many plants though flowering well did not produce a single good
pod and of many kinds I was unable to save a single seed, the
pods being quite rather long before the seed Was ripe. Spraying
with insecticides had little effect, Dysdercus destroyed one day thus,
was quickly replaced by others which appeared from some more
distant spot in a fewodays. One or two kinds of caterpillar hunting
wasps were often at the bushes carrying off the leaf-rollers, but made
little impression in their numbers.
I had hoped that out of the numerous varieties sent from India, some
might be found more resistant to insect pests than others, but though
the narrow-leaved forms were less attacked by Ieafrollers than
the broad-leaved ones, and owing to their narrower bracts less at-
6//Z/
266
tacked by red bug, they like the others suffered badly from the pod
destroying caterpillars, which of course being inside the pods could
not be destroyed by spraying. The soil and constant wet of the
Peninsula makes it at least in the Southern part quite unsuitable for
the plant, but the pests alone would be sufficient to destroy any
chance of successfully growing the plant on a large scale.
COTTON CULTIVATION IN THE FEDERATED
MALAY STATES.
Sir, — I have the honour to submit, at your request, a short report
on the cultivation of cotton in the Federated Malay States.
2. But little progress has been made in this direction at the
Experimental Plantations, Batu Tiga, and the results so far obtained
are far from encouraging. The Egyptian variety was tried last year;
the seeds germinated very well and for a time the young plants
looked very promising; but, during the long spell of wet weather
which followed, they were attacked by a mite, and a large percent-
age destroyed. The plants which survived the attack were allowed
to remain with the object of procuring seeds from the more robust
plants for a further trial. During the unusually dried weather ex-
perienced during the early part of the present year, these plants
improved considerably, and are now fruiting though the crop is
poor and the cotton much stained. A picked sample of this cotton
is being forwarded to the Imperial Institute for valuation and report.
3. About an acre of land was planted early in the present year
with 1 Upland, ’ ‘ Sea-Island ’ and Egyptian varieties, but not more
than about 1 per cent, of the seed germinated, and it is impossible
to estimate from the few remaining plants, what the result would
have been had the seed been good.
4. Another batch of seed, consisting of some 22 varieties, has
been recently planted. These have germinated well and so far are
apparently free from disease.
5. There appears' to be little to add to my letter No. Ex. Plants
121/03 of October 30th last, when I pointed out that the uncertainty
of the seasons, the peculiar susceptibility to pests— both insect and
fungoid — and the limited labour-supply, are in themselves sufficient
to deter agriculturists from embarking upon this cultivation.
6. Experiments on a small scale are being continued at Batu
Tiga, and if the work results in the establishment of a type suited
to the conditions obtaining in the Federated Malay States, it is
possible that natives and Immigrant coolies may (with Government
Assistance) take up the cultivation of cotton ; but it is, I think, prac-
tically certain that it will never pay for European supervision, the
profits being too small and the venture too risky.
267
7- The tree cotton ( Gossypiuni Arbor eum) is cultivated to a
limited extent in Negri Sembilan and elsewhere, but the staple of
this is too short to be of use to the spinners, and need not therefore
be taken into consideration,
I have, etc.,
STANLEY ARDEN,
Superintendent , Experimental Plantations.
IMPERIAL INSTITUTE.
South Kensington , London , S. W.
Report on a sample of cotton from the Federated Malay States,
by Professor Wyndham R. Dunstan, m. a. f. r. s., Director,
Ref. No, 8,165.
In connection with the general enquiry which is being carried on
at the Imperial Institute with reference to cotton growing in the
various British Colonies and Dependencies, a letter, dated the 13th
July, 1904, was addressed to the High Commissioner of the Federated
Malay States, asking for information with regard to the prospects
of cotton cultivation in these States and also for representative
samples of the products.
2. In reply, a letter dated the 9th September, 1904, was received
from the High Commissioner, in which it was stated that a sample
of Egyptian cotton grown in the Federated Malay States was being
forwarded to the Imperial Institute for valuation and report. This
letter was accompanied by a copy of a report by Mr. Stanley
Arden, Superintendent, Experimental Plantations, Selangor, dated
the 30th August;, 1904, and also by some printed correspondence
containing the opinions and experience of planters and others on
tfcf* subject of cotton growing in the Federated Malay States.
The samples of cotton were received in due course at the Imperial
Institute, with a tetter from the Superintendent of Experimental
Plantations, dated the 26th October, f’904, which states that the cot-
ton had been grown from Egyptian seed in the Government Ex-
perimental Plantations, Batu 1 iga, Selangor.
The samples have been examined in the Scientific and Technical
Department of the Imperial Institute and the commercial value of
the cotton has been ascertained by reference to experts. Sample
No. I was labelled “ Egyptian Cotton/' (Hand-ginned) and consisted
of about 4 ozs . of brownish cotton of somewhat uneven colour and
good average strength. On comparing this material with a standard
brown Egyptian cotton, it was found to be slightly inferior in colour
fineness, softness, and lustre, but was of good length varying from
1.2 to 1.5 inches. Sample No. 2 was labelled “Egyptian Cotton”
and consisted about 8 ozs. of unginned cotton of apparently the
same growth as Sample No. 1. The seeds were smooth and dark
brown in colour, the fibre was easily detached from the seeds and
possessed the characters already described.
268
The commercial experts reported that the ginned cotton was
clean, of good hard staple, mixed in colour and worth about $d. per
lb. “ Fully good fair brown Egyptian” cotton being quoted on the
same date at 6f d. per lb. and “Middling American ” at 3f d. per lb.
From the foregoing report, it is evident that the cotton is some-
what nferior to the average qualities of Egyptian cotton. This
inferiority is probably due to deterioration caused by the adverse
climatic conditions to which the plants were subjected In the early
period of their growth. The cotton is nevertheless of fair quality,
and if this standard could be maintained and a moderate yield
secured, the cultivation might prove remunerative. In any case, it
certainly appears desirable that the experiments, referred to in the
report of the Superintendent of the Experimental Plantations which
are being carried on with the object of establishing a type of cotton
capable of withstanding the local conditions, should be continued.
WYNDHAN R. DUNSTAN.
3rd March , / go 5.
FIBRE OF MELOCHIA
M. CORCHORI FOLIA.
This is a wiry weed, very common in cleared ground and easily
recognized by its small heads of little pink flowers with an ocre yel-
low eye. The stems are tough and slender, covered with a thin
light brown bark. I cannot find any allusion to its bark having
been experimented with as a fibre pioducer except a reference to
the fact that it is said to produce a fibre in Watts’ Dictionary of
Indian Products.
The plant came up abundantly in ground which had been cleared
in the Botanic Gardens for Sanseviera culture, and when the stems
had grown to about 3 feet long, a number were collected. I he bark
was then stripped off, in the same way that is done with the Ramie
plant and soaked and beaten in water. This took about a week
to do’ when a bundle of fibre was obtained, of by no means inferior
quality. The fibre is about 2 feet long, fine and strong, and beauti-
fully silvery white, in fact, quite silky.
The sticks with bark on weighed 26 ozs., the bark when removed
weighed 13 ozs. This gave 2 oz. fibre or 6* per cent, on the bark.
It may be doubted whether this fibre would ever pay for cultivation,
as it is not a close grower and does not attain the height of jute,
and further more, the cost of extracting it would perhaps be too
great as a good deal of hand work has to be used m stripping the
bark ’ but it is a fibre certainly suited for native work, on a smaller
scale. No report on it has been procured as yet, but further experi-
ments with this fibre will be tried.
The plant belongs to the order Sterculiaceas and is known to the
Malays as Lumak Kutam. They use the leaves and roots as an
outward application in Small-pox, and also in cases of Dysentery.
It is a common weed all over the East. Editor .
FIBRE AND HEMP INDUSTRY IN STRAITS
SETTLEMENTS AND FEDERATED
MiALAY STATES,
By C. J. Schirmer.
Singapore , igth June ryo^.
The Editor,
Jigricultural Bulletin ,
Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States.
Dear SIR, — With reference to the conversations we had re Fibre
and Hemp industry in the Straits and Federated Malay States, I take
the liberty to give you on this subject my opinion, based on many
years’ experience.
Anyone who can obtain the necessary raw material would soon
find this trade very profitable, as it justifies systematic cultivation
on a big scale, when one considers the comparatively small outlay
and the impossibility of obtaining sufficient quantities of the wild
plant, but succeed in fibre cultivation in a country where this in-
dustry is new and unknown to planters, and the produce unknown
to nearly all merchants, the promoter must have patience, courage
and a clear knowledge of the business and of what constitutes
favourable circumstances.
The first thing to make a fibre venture work and pay, is not, as is
always believed, the mechanical decortication or rather the question
of machinery, but, as stated above, to have sufficient and well cultiva-
ted and conveniently situated raw material belonging to the factory,
situated on a big fresh water river. The best position is the delta
where the plantation should be made around the lactory (taking
care to have the option of hinterland to extend the plantations if
required). It should be easy and cheap from the nature of the
situation and with the aid of proper means of transport, to carry the
product at any moment to the factory, expenses of transport being
reduced to the lowest possible cost.
As leaves of fibre plants contain only between 1^-5 per cent, dry
fibre, it will be seen that to make one ton of dry fibre the manufac-
turer must have cut transport and work 20-66 tons of raw material ;
on an average, if he works different sorts of fibres 40 tons, and as a
rule, I say a factory should not be erected and not worked if it
already exists, if it casinot obtain the raw material, delivered at the
factory, at a cost not exceeding one-third of the daily European
market price of the fibre intended to be manufactured. Say, for in-
stance, to-day’s market price for Aloes is £30 per ton, 1/3 gives
£10 or $iOO. As the return of Aloe is about 3 per cent, the manu-
facturer requires for making one ton of dry Aloe fibre 33 tons of raw
material which must not cost more than $100 or $3.33 per ton
delivered at the factory.
2 7 °
Can a maunfacturer buy from natives at this price, if they have
to bring it in small quantities for miles and miles? No. Can a
manufacturer obtain it from his own plantations, if situated all
around his factory? Yes, and cheaper.
Therefore, v hat can be done with the best machine, if you have
not sufficient and cheap raw material ?
1'hat machines for working fibres exist is, I believe, known to
everybody.
The question has often been put by European fibre- merchants, why
does not Singapore export Pineapple fibre as it appears that there
is plenty of raw material, and it is not necessary to cultivate more ?
The reasons are very simple.
Pineapples (if cultivated in the sun for fruits) give a very short
and light fibre of only about 2 per cent, return ; therefore, to make
one ton fibre (dry) it is necessary to work about 8oo piculs of leaves.
The price for one picul of leaves, asked by natives, delivered in
Singapore, is $o.6o and higher, or the cost of the raw material
nearlv $480 per ton of dry fibre, more than the value of the fibre
on the London market. What are the reasons for this exorbitant
price of $0.60 asked by natives ? The following : —
1. The very expensive bullock cart hire from the centre of cul-
tivation at the 9th Mile in Thompson and Bukit Timah Roads and
Pasir Panjang.
2. The impossibility of explaining to the Chinese cultivators
that it does not spoil the plant or diminish the return in fruits to cut
some leaves -from each -plant.
3. The necessity of cutting carefully only a few leaves from each
plant, where cooly wages are expensive.
But on the other hand, to erect a factory, (to obviate the first rea-
son) near the plantations is impossible, because there exists no clean
fresh water near them nor indeed enough water to drive the engines
nor enough cheap firewood for this purpose. .
Therefore, to make Pineapple or any other fibre will only be pos-
sible if it is cultivated around a factory. Pineapple and some other
fibres require shade, where the leaves of Pineapples for instance
obtain a length of 6 to 12 feet and contain up to 3 per cent, fibre
and so cultivation will cost, delivered at the factory, only $0.10 to
$0.15 per picul or as raw material $80 to $120 per ton.
The points to be taken into consideration to start a fibre venture
which will work and pay are the following : —
1. — Sufficient capital.
2. Patience, courage and a clear knowledge of the cultivation
and manufacture.
3. — Well situated and good land from the point of view of cul-
tivation of plants as for the later erection of a factory
and the transport of leaves from field to factory.
4. — Sufficient and cheap labour.
tj. — Good and clean fresh wafer in sufficient quantity and sun
over 35 0 for bleaching purpose,
6. — No cyclones or typhoons to spoil the leaves in the fields.
7. — Cheap firewood and good water-power to run the engines.
8. — Suitable climate for the development of the plants.
cy — Well-made machines with high precision and suitably
erected.
All these points united constitute, what I call, favourable circum-
stances and I believe they all exist in the Straits and Federated
Malay States in a greater degree than elsewhere.
A risk, as long the prices on the Sisal standard in London rule
higher than £12 per ton, actually £37 and have never been under
£16, with an average for the last fifteen years of £24, does not exist
as all the fibre plants grow here very rapidly, are free from any
disease, never injured by insect (even cattle do not like most of
them) and can stand very wet and very dry long seasons without
suffering.
Of course, it would be best to induce the natives to take up the
cultivation of fibrous plants and to assist them by advances and
seedlings, etc. etc.; but a factory must have its own plantations, in
order to remain independent of planters, as regards price for the
raw material and the regular supply to run the engines.
Should you like to have any further information regarding this
for the Straits very promising industry and produce, 1 am at your
disposal.
Your very obedient servant,
C. J. SCHIRMER.
FUNGUS ON PARA RUBBER LEAVES.
Specimens of leaves of the Para rubber seedlings attacked by the
leaf-fungus mentioned in Bulletin 1903, p. 68, were lately sent to
the Director of the Royal Gardens, Kew, and Mr. G. M AS SEP:
reports that <f the pale blotches on the leaves are caused by some
species of Cercospora , but the absence of fruit prevents specific
identification. The leaves have been placed under conditions fa-
vourable to the growth of the parasite which, however, appears to
have been killed outright.”
There are about 200 kinds of Cercospora known, infecting the
leaves of various herbs, shrubs and trees. Treatment of the plants
with Bordeaux mixture is said, in some cases, to have produced
excellent effects, but the infected leaves should be also removed, as
well as all dead ones on the ground, and the ground turned over if
possible.
2 7 2
Several planters have sent specimens of the leaf-fungus and it is
clear that it is common all over the Peninsula. Except in the case
of seedlings, it does not seem to do much harm, but it certainly
checks the growth of young plants and might do much harm in the
nurseries, if neglected.
H. N. RIDLEY.
ANALYSIS OF PAHA RUBBER.
M. P. SERRE, French Vice-Consul at Batavia, writes in the
Journal d } Agriculture Tropicale , April 30, p. ri2 : —
Quite dry Para rubber from the Bukit Rajah Company and very
suitable for vulcanization sold at a little more than 7 francs a pound.
On analysis, it was found to contain 95*37 percent, caoutchouc, 3*02
per cent, resin, i'24 percent, albuminoid matter, '37 per cent, mi-
neral matters.
BARU: HIBISCUS TILIACEUS.
An article on the fibre of this common tree here, appears in the
Indian Forester of June, 1905, p. 347, in which it appears that a
M. Le FEVRE in Rangoon has made an attempt to introduce this
fibre into commerce. He is stated to have a secret method for work-
ing the fibre and made it up into rope, matting and gunny and also
dyed it of different colours. His product fetched from £20 to ^35
per ton, and he obtained a concession to work the fibre in the To-
ringoo district, but the help he had teen promised in the venture
was not forthcoming and he had to stop work. It is suggested that
Baru would do better than Jute in cases where the gunny bags
made from it have to stand on damp ground and that the Govern-
ment might grow the plant or buy it from cultivators and have it
worked into gunny bags in the jails.
The plant was described, in the paper on fibres in the Bulletin ,
and its abundance on our rivers was noted. It grows very readily
in the edges of the tidal rivers, and in nipah swamps and would pro-
bably pay well if either planted or in many cases simply aided in its
growth by removing the other plants which grew among it and so
giving it room to .spread. The natives who make a living by col-
lecting nipaji leaves for cigarette papers might have their attention
called to this fibre, of which perhaps hundred of tons are wasting on
our river banks. — Ed.
RED COCO-NUT BEETLE.
In a paper in the Tropical Agriculturist, p. 153, Mr. W. JardinE
treating of coco-nuts, states that in Ceylon it is rare for the Red coco-
nut beetle Rhyncophorus ferrugineus , to attack a tree over 10 or 12
feet tall, and suggests the reason for this is that it cannot fly higher.
273
This is curious, as full grown trees up to any size are constantly
attacked and destroyed here, 60 feet and more tall. Indeed this
constitutes one of the greatest difficulties of dealing with the pest.
If it only attacked young plants it would be much more easy to deal
with. It does fly low very often and is commonly to be found in
base of stumps of sago palms which have been felled to extract the
flour.
In our forests, the red beetle lives on the Bayas and Nibong palms,
Oncosperma , of which genus there is another species in Ceylon. I
have seen a Bayas tree felled by the coolies for the cabbage in the
forests of Bujong Malacca, in Perak, which was visited by a Rhyn-
cophorus in less than twenty minutes after the tree was cut up, so
quickly did it scent the cut-up tree.
H. N. RIDLEY.
RUBBER SALES.
A quantity of Biscuit rubber made in the Botanic Gardens, Singa-
pore, was recently sold by Hecht Levis and Kahn. It was in two
lots, the larger consisted of fine white biscuits made with acetic acid
and dried with the aid of calcium chloride, and fetched JL-36 gi per
lb. The other, a small lot made two years ago without acetic acid,
and smoked, consisted of thicker biscuits of a darker brown colour.
This lot fetched only ^d. less per lb. It is unnecessary to state
that this little lot cost a good deal less in expense and trouble to
make, and its only defect seems to be its darker colour, there being
a fancy now for white biscuits;
Smoking rubber is an easy and cheap method of drying it off,, and
as the price is so little different from that prepared by a more elabo-
rate and expensive process, this old process may be very suitable
for small growers. — Ed.
274
SINGAPORE MARKET REPORT.
June, 1905.
Articles.
)
'Quantity
sold.
Highest
price.
Lowest
price.
Coffee — Palembang
_
Tons.
$
3i-oo
$
31.00
Bali -
_
115
20.50
i9-5o
Liberian
78
23.00
22.00
Copra
-
4,3ii
8.25
7-30
Gambier
-
L959
8.7s
8.60
Cube Gambier, Nos. 1 & 2
-
345
12-75
12.00
Gutta Percha, 1st quality -
-
300.00
1 50.00
Medium
-
200.00
90.00
Lower
-
...
SO.OO
12.00
Borneo Rubber 1, 2, and 3
-
142.00
90.00
Gutta Jelutong
-
7-50 1
7-30
Nutmegs, No. no J s
-
...
37.00 j
34.00
No. 8o's
-
...
59.00 |
56.50
Mace, Banda
, -
...
85.00
80.00
Amboyna
-
...
56.00
55.00
Pepper, Black -
-
L385
28.62^
' 25-75
White (Sarawak)-
-
399
39-50
37.00
Pearl Sago, Small
-
25
4.25
3.80
Medium
-
...
4-
50
Large
-
.
5-
50
Sago Flour, No. 1
-
3,018
3-22^
3-05
No. 2
-
170
0.
8c
Flake Tapioca, Small
-
362
4.70
4.65
Medium
-
...
* * * •
...
Pearl Tapioca, Small
358
4.80
4.60
Medium
466
4-75
470
Bullet
-
40
6.00
5-70
Tin -
-
2,770
81.75
79.62^
275
Export Telegram to Europe and America.
Fortnight ending 1 $th June , iQOg.
Wired at 4.35 p.m. on 16th June, 1905,
Tons.
Tin
Str.
Singapore and Penang to United Kingdom &/ or
L38o
Do.
»1
Do.
U. S. A.
585
Do.
II
Do.
Continent
205
Gambier
l»
Singapore
Glasgow
...
Do.
II
Do.
London
...
Do.
II
Do.
Liverpool
275
Do.
II
Do.
U. K. &/or Continent
95
Cube Gambier
II
Do.
United Kingdom
70
Black Pepper
II
Do.
Do.
25
Do.
II
Penang
Do.
...
White Pepper
II
Singapore
Do.
150
Do.
II
Penang
Do.
...
Pearl Sago
II
Singapore
Do.
45
Sago Flour
l>
Do.
London
So
Do.
1*
Do.
Liverpool
1,640
Do.
II
Do.
Glasgow
325
Tapioca Flake
II
Singapore & Penang
United Kingdom
310
T. Pearl & Bullets
II
Do.
Do.
400
Tapioca Flour
II
Penang
Do.
200
Gutta Percha
II
Singapore
Do.
35
Buffalo Hides
1)
Do.
Do.
70
Pineapples
II
Do.
Do. cases 41,000
Gambier
II
Do.
U. S. A.
725
Cube Gambier
II
Do.
Do.
25
Black Pepper
II
Do.
Do.
210
Do.
II
Penang
Do.
...
White Pepper
II
Singapore
Do.
40
Do.
II
Penang
Do.
...
T. Flake & Pearl
II
Singapore & Penang
Do.
375
Nutmegs
II
Do.
Do.
il
Sago Flour
Singapore
Do.
200
Pineapples
,,
Singapore
Do. cases 4,500
Do.
II
Do.
Continent „
2,500
Gambier
II
Do.
S. Continent
70
Do.
Do.
N. Continent
75
Cube Gambier
,,
Do.
Continent
45
Black Pepper
,,
Do.
S. Continent
Do.
Do.
N. Continent
120
Do.
II
Penang
S. Continent
Do.
II
Do.
N. Continent
...
White Pepper
II
Singapore
S. Cont’nent
...
Do.
II
Do.
N. Continent
120
Do.
11
Penang
S. Continent
...
Do.
II
Do.
N, Continent
...
Copra
11
Singapore & Penang
Marseilles
520
Do.
II
Do.
Odessa
Do.
11
Do.
Other South Continent
15°
Do.
11
Do.
N. Continent
800
Sago Flour
II
Do.
Continent
625
Tapioca Flake
11
Singapore & Penang
Do.
85
Do. Pearl
>*
Do,
Do,
19*
Tons,
Copra
Str
Singapore
England
Gam bier
,,
Do.
U. S. A.
Cube Gambier
|f
Do.
Do.
T. Flake and Pearl
tf>
Do.
Do.
Sago Flour
j y
Do.
Do.
Gambier
ft
Do.
S. Continent
Copra
Do.
Marseilles
Black Pepper
Do.
S. Continent
White Pepper
if
Do.
Do.
Do.
n
Do.
U. S. A.
Pineapples
tp
Do.
Do
Nutmegs
Do.
Do.
Black Pepper
,,
Do.
Do.
Do.
,,
Penang
Do.
White Pepper
f
Do. •
Do.
T; Flake & Pearl
i 1
Do.
Do.
Nutmegs
IJ
Do.
Do.
ZTb?™^' | Contracts.
Export Telegram to Europe and America.
Fortnight ending 30th June, 190 $ ,
Tin
Str.
Singapore & Penang to United Kingdom &/or
Tons.
j,5lS
Do.
a
Do.
U. S. A,
790
Do.
n
Do.
Continent
590
Gambier
n
Singapore
Glasgow
...
Do.
11
•1
Do,
London
100
Do.
Do.
Liverpool
...
Do.
M
Do.
U. K. &/or Continent
250
Cube Gambier
ft
Do.
United Kingdom
is
Black Pepper
j ,
Do.
Do.
10
Do.
If
Penang
Do.
90
White Pepper
Singapore
Do.
70
Do.
n
Penang
Do.
...
Pearl Sago
if
Singapore
Do.
10
Sago Flour
Do.
London
25
Do.
' Do.
Liverpool
Do.
it
Do.
Glasgow
250
Tapioca Flake
n
Singapore & Penang
United Kingdom
35o
T. Pearl & Bullets
11
Do.
Do.
36°
Tapioca Flour
ft
Penang
Do.
1,300
Gutta Percha
n
Singapore
Do.
70
Buffalo Hides
Do.
Do.
35
Pineapples
n
Do.
Do. cases
20,000
Gambier
Do.
U. S. A.
700
Cube Gambier
n
Do.
Do.
55
Black Pepper
n
Do.
Do
45o
Do.
tt
I’enang
Do.
290
White Pepper
it
Singapore
Do.
30
Do.
i
Penang
Do.
20
T. Flake & Pearl
.it
Singapore & Penang
Do.
550
Nutmegs
Do.
Do.
33
Sago Flour
II
Singapore
Do.
150
Pineapples
Str.
277
Singapore
U. S. A.
Tons,
cases 4,750
Do.
tt
Do.
Continent
„ 1,250
Gambier
i 1
Do.
S. Continent
75
Do.
ft
Do.
N. Continent
260
Cube Gambier
tl
Do.
Continent
10
Black Pepper 1
Do.
S. Continent
60
Do.
j r
Do.
N. Continent .
10
Do.
ft
Penang
S. Continent
50
Do.
it
Do,
N. Continent
White Pepper
t*
Singapore
S. Continent
ro
Do.
tt
Do.
N. Continent
10
' Do.
n
Penang
S. Continent
,,,
Do.
t>
Do.
N. Continent
10
Copra
Singapore & Penang
Marseilles
260
Do.
Do.
Odessa
980
Do.
I?
Do.
Other S. Continent
400
Do.
>»
Do.
N. Continent
Sago Flour
a .
Do.
Continent
440
Tapioca Flake
M
Singapore & Penang
Do.
40
Do. Pearl
if
Do.
Do.
100
Copra
it
Singapore
England
Gambier
„
Singapore
U. S. A.
Cube Gambier
ti
Do.
Do.
T, Flake & Pearl
Do.
Do.
Sago Flour
Do.
Do.
Gambier
,,
Do.
S. Continent
Copra
1 1
Do.
Marseilles
Black Pepper
,,
Do.
S. Continent
White Pepper
,,
Do.
Do.
Do.
it
Do.
U. S. A.
Pineapples
Do.
Do.
Nutmegs
Do.
Do.
Black Pepper
it
Do.
Do.
Do.
It
■ Penang
Do.
White Pepper
Do.
Do.
T. Flake & Pearl
)*
Do.
Do.
Nutmegs
Do.
Do.
#
1,000 tons Gambier
625 „ Black Pepp
er}
Contracts.
:
*
Hill
Singapore.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings for the month of June, 1905.
District.
Kandang Kerbau Hospital Observatory ...
Ins.
29‘889
Temperature.
Hygrometer.
°F.
138*9
CQ
>>
°F.
82-6
°F.
906
°F.
75'6
lS'o
°F.
78-8
Ins.
•906
CL,
E
3
E
°F 1 %
7 6 ‘3 77
o
Q
S.W.
Ins.
5 ’95
Ins.
2-26
Kandang Kerbau Hospital Observatory,
Singapore, 14th July , 1905.
A. b. LEICESTER,
Meteorological Observer.
G. D. FREER,
for Principal Civil Medical Officer, S.S.
Greatest Rainfall during 24 hours.
Wl9
Penang.
r Abstract of Meteorological Readings in the Prison Observatory for the month of June , 1905.
•4-J
ctS
O
Uj
I
Temperature.
Hygrometer.
—
u?
* >
cn"
Ui
3
O
JZ
Tj-
3
in
>
W
in
<D
u
0
bd
c
0,
C
District.
*3
"0
-M u
<D
B
. j
a
3
c n
c
_D
CO
i
.A
*3
CQ
c"
.2
"35
c
O
<v
Ut
s
3
•xs
3
.3
3
<D
4->
bd
C
c£
t-
rt rt
CQ P
c 0
<D ^
S
3
a
S
>•>
p
a
rt
OJ
S
3
§
rt
E
3
E
*_£
<u
bd
c
nj
u
&
s
<u
apour T
3
'5
cu
£
<U
4J
-3
*£
3
a
'rt
>
O
n3
4 -*
O
4->
cn
<U
rt
QJ
!-
; • ,
s
s
§
s
C*
s
>
Q
X
Ph
*■
0
Ins.
°F
°F
°F
°F
Op
1 °F
op
°F
%
Ins.
Ins.
Criminal Prison Observatory ...
29*867
143*7
8o-8
902
73*9
163
]
! 75*4
00
l"
| 68-81
,
68
s.
1
3'53
i*6o
w
VO
Colonial Surgeon's Office,
Penang , 12th July , 190 $.
M. E. SCRIVEN,
Assistant Surgeon.
S. LUCY,
Acting Colonial Surgeon , Penang.
Malacca
Abstract of Meteorological Readings for the month of June, 1905.
■y 1
a
<D
3 !
Temperature.
Hygrometer.
( A
.£
District.
[ Mean Barometrical Pres<
32 0 Fah,
Maximum in Sun.
Mean Dry Bulb.
Maximum.
| Minimum.
1
1
1 Range.
.
Mean Wet Bulb. j
Vapour Tension.
Dew Point.
Humidity.
£
O
c
.2
(J
<D
Vh
s
bJO
c
>
<u
J— t
Oh
Total Rainfall.
Greatest Rainfall during
hours.
Durian Daun Hospital
29-813
154*3
82-2
88' 3
74*9
13*8
8cro
1 -ooo
7 i *5
90
s.w.
5‘35
2-14
Colonial Surgeon’s Office,
Malacca , 20th July , 1905.
F. B. CROUCH ER,
Colonial Surgeon , Malacca.
Perak.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings in the various Districts of the State for the month of June, ipog.
State Surgeon’s Office,
Taiping, 12th July, 190$.
District.
Mean Barometrical
Pressure at 32 0 Fah.
c
Maximum in Sun.
Temperature.
Hygrometer.
Mean Dry Bulb.
Maximum.
Minimum.
Range.
JQ
*d
CQ
<u
£
3
<u
§
| Vapour Tension.
I
1
\ Dew Point.
l
1
Taiping
155
83*03
94
7 1
23
78*32
907
Kuala Kangsar
. » .
80*84
93
70
23
76*46
855
Batu Gajah
159
81*46
93
7 1
22
77*42
887
Gopeng
81-59
93
62
3 1
76*68
853
Ipoh
. . .
81*48
9 2
71
21
77-36
884
1
Kampar
...
7 1
...
...
Teluk Anson
82*37
91
72
>9
77-84
893
Tapah
82* 1 7
9 T
69
22
76*96
860
Parit Bunrar
. . ,
83*73
93
64
29
78*42
902
Bagan Serai
. . •
82*94
92
70
22
78*00
894
Selama ... j
...
82-37
92
72
20
78*06
904
c
d
X
80
81
83
78
83
81
78
78
79
82
Q
bn .
C cn
Ld
*d .£
£
d
M-i
C
’3
C4
o
t-.
6-82
1 ' 78
5*5 2
776
4-26
6*o8
5*°9
5*27
2*80
5*49
4*98
bn
*C
d
*73
M-i
.£
*3 •
P d S2
IS o
CD 23
-M
ClJ
<D M
1-4
o
3*34
‘57
i*75
2*39
1-25
2*00
riS
i*43
2'IO
2'40
2'O0
M. J. WRIGHT,
State Surgeon .
Selangor,
Abstract of Meteorological Readings in the various Districts of the State for the month of June , 190$.
District.
iii
[ Mean Barometrical
j Pressure at 32 0 Fah.
| Maximum in Sun.
1
Temperature.
Hygrometer.
Prevailing Direction
of Winds.
Total Rainfall.
j Greatest Rainfall
1 during 24 hours.
Mean
Dry Bulb.
1 Maximum.
1
^ Minimum.
i
<L>
OJQ
c
05
Mean
j Wet Bulb.
Vapour
Tension.
1 Dew Point.
1
Humidity,
General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur
29*886
00
%
81*4
91*2
7V6
19*6
76*4
0817
73'2
77
Calm.
3 ’95
i-68
Pudoh Gaol Hospital „
i
...
2*16
0*66
District Hospital „
...
...
.S‘4<5
2*67
„ Klang ...
' ...
88*4
70*6
178
213
071
Kuala Langat
887
74’S
14*2
2*23
1*20
„ Kajang ...
91*4
72*4
190
6*26
2*18
Kuala Selangor
...
...
...
...
2*52
1 ’55
Kuala Kubu
...
92*7
7 2 '4
20*3
8*72
1*83
Serendah
...
9 1 '2
75- 6
156
...
S‘°S
2*46
„ Rawang ...
...
...
91*8
70*0
21*8
5'n
2-65
Beri-beri Hospital, Jeram
...
...
••
...
...
1*28
0*74
Sabah Bernam
2*90
1*30
State Surgeon’s Office, E. A. O. TRAVERS,
Kuala Lumpur , 20th July , 1905. State Surgeon, Selangor.
Muar,
Abstract of Meteorological Readings for the month of June, 1905.
District.
Lanadron Estate
w
to
Oh
6
o
|h
rt
CQ
- jd
<U Uh
*3
c
3
C/3
s
a
’§
s
J2
13
CO
b
Q
c
rt
84°
Temperature.
S
3
§
rt
9 1
72°
<u
be
a
nJ
P4
19°
-O
3
CQ
76°
Hygrometer.
a
o
* 53
C
<u
H
Ih
3
O
Ou
rt
>
g
'3
Oh
i?
<U
Q
b
'S
• rH
s
3
IX
c
o
be
c
rt
>
<D
Ih
Oh
rt
M—
.5
*3
Oh
15
H-»
o
H
372
3
o
so
g
*c
3
5
G
*c5
Oh
to
<u
15
OJ
Ih
o
•64
Muar, 9th July , /pay.
ROGER PEARS.
The Duff Development Company, Limited, Kelantan.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings for the month of June , /905.
District.
Temperature.
Rainfall.
Maximum,
Minimum.
Range.
Total Rainfall.
Greatest Rainfall dur-
ing 24 hours.
1
Mean.
Mean.
Mean.
Inches.
Inches.
°F
°F
°F
Kuala Lebir
90*5
71*2
I 9-3
1 2-66
3'36
Liang
89-4
72*1
17*3
13*60
2*32
Surgeon's Office , JOHN J). GIMLETTE,
July 4th r /905. Surgeon.
AGRICULTURAL BULLETIN
OF THE
STRAITS
AND
FEDERATED MALAY STATES.
No. 8.] AUGUST, 1905. [Vol. IV.
RESULTS OE THE EXPERIMENTAL TAPPINGS
OF HEVEA BRASILIENSIS
At the Economic Gardens at Tjikeumeuh
MADE DURING I9OO-1904
By Dr. W. R. TROMP De HAAS.
By permission of the author, we publish a translation from the
Dutch of the experiments on Para Rubber conducted in the Econo-
mic Gardens in Java. The paper was published in Teysmannia,
Part 10 (1905), p, 182. Thd system of coagulating with alcohol is
interesting though not practicable commercially on account of ex-
pense. It will be noticed too that stress is laid on the dryness from
sun and wind interfering with tapping. The importance of sufficient
humidity in the estate, especially in the ground, is becoming more
and more evident and this will have a great bearing on the selection
of sites for plantations. There is little doubt that the latex is
formed in the roots and that a larger? proportion of latex can be
extracted when the tree is turgescent from a liberal supply of water
absorbed by the roots. Hence it would seem of the greatest impor-
tance that the roots should be able to obtain a sufficient supply of
water for the tree, which might not be the case in very dry
ground.
We shall here once more shortly review the results wtich we have
obtained to this day, concerning the tapping of Hevea Brasiliensis .
They have gradually led us to the methods of tapping which are
now used by us. m
In the first year, the experiments made on^the Hevea trees grow-
ing in the Economic Gardens shewed us that the yield of the latex
of Hevea Brasiliensis attains its highest point after the tap-
wounds have been re-opened several times in succession at intervals.
286
The first tappings were made as follows : —
In the stems of the trees, as high up as possible, with the aid of an
ordinary carpenter’s chisel, incisions about 7 c. m. long were made
under each other at distances of 25 c. m., at angles of about 30°,
The distance of the incisions measured along the circumference
of the stem was so chosen that the free spaces were about two-
thirds of the total circumference in order not to impede the circula-
tion of the sap.
A thin slice was cut away from the lower edge of the incisions
with the chisel the next day. This was repeated nine times.
To catch the latex, a small cup, + 8 c. m. wide and + 8 c. m. deep,
made of thin t'n sheeting, was placed under each row of incisions,
A pin was soldered on to the edge of the cup with which it could
be fastened on to the stem. The. space between the stem and the
edge of the cup was plastered with clay in order to prevent loss of
latex.
From the latex collected in the cups the rubber was obtained by
coagulating with alcohol, and afterwards drying in shade and wind.
The results of the first tapped tree prove : —
1. The observations of Parkins hold true also with Hevea
Brasiliensis .
2. That the quantity of rubber first increases and then declines.
In order to be able to draw fair comparisons, we must choose other
measures than those used so far, where only the yield of the latex
of a tree is considered.
It is clear that the quantity of latex obtainable depends upon the
area of bark * which can be tapped.
The larger the area of the tree the more rubber may one expect to
obtain.
If equal areas of bark yield unequal amounts of rubber on tapping,
then the difference is due to the trees themselves or the cause lies
outside. In the former instance, we must only choose seeds of good
latex-producing varieties, in the latter case we must strive to obtain
better methods of cultivation.
The following two cases may serve to shew this : —
Of two trees tapped under similar conditions and methods, one
(No. 14) yielded 1214 grammes and the other (No. 9) 1700
grammes of rubber. One would now say that tree No. 9 is richer in
rubber than tree No. 14. This, however, is not the case as the yield
depends upon the surface that is tapped. The tapped surface of tree
No. 9 was 2 square metres and that of tree No. 14 was 0*91 M2, f
* In the calculation of bark surface, the part of the tree to be tapped is looked at
as if it were a cut cone, not strictly true, the error is of little consequence, however,
to our aim. The surface of the sides of this cone is equal to that of a parallelogram
of which the equal sides are oqual to the circumference of respectively the top and
bottom place of the cone and the circumference of the tree is measured at the base
and the top to where it is tapped and the distance from the top to the bottom
incision.
f This difference is due to the variations of the thickness of the trunk;
287
\
/
V
k
)
f
V
J
Reduced to 1 M 2 of tapped surface, then tree No, 14 seems to be
a better rubber-producer than tree No. 9.
No. 14 gave, rather should have given, 1334 and No. 9, 850
grammes of rubber per M 2 of tapped surface.
The individual differences in the product of latex given by the
above methods of tapping are clearly shewn by the results of the
first year's tapping of two 24-year old trees growing next to each
other and tapped at the same time and by the same methods.
Tree No. 10 was tapped over a surface of 4*5 M 2 and tree No.
11 of 3*35 M2.
The yield was, respectively, 380 and 608 grammes or 84*4 and
181*5 grammes per M 2 -
Tree No. 11 yielded more than twice the quantity of rubber, not-
withstanding that the other was tapped over greater surface.
From these experiments we may conclude that there exists a great
deal of individual difference in the yield of rubber amongst the trees
cultivated in the Gardens.
These trees are also different in their forms. The best rubber
producer is compact, has a thick crown and leaves of which the
length and breadth are nearly equal, while the crown of the other is
wider and the leaves are longer.
In the first year of tapping, the influence of the season is also
apparent.
Tree No. 2 was tapped in August (the dry season) and again in
November. The yield was, respectively, 41 1 and 390 grammes per
2*79 M 2 of tapped surface or, per M 2 » respectively, 147-3 and 139*8
grammes.
This shews that the difference in this case was not large. It may
be noted that the East Monsoon was drier than the West Monsoon
but not much, however, as may be seen from the Rain-tables.
In the dry season there were, during the time of tapping, 6 rainy
days with 148 m.m. of rain, while during the wet season, these figures
were 13 and 165.
If the humidity of the soil is large* and if the rains are equally
distributed during the tapping season, then there ought to be no
large difference between the yield of the wet and dry seasons. +
We shall have the opportunity of following these results for con-
secutive years. From the above results, we may also reduce that
full grown trees may, according to our system, be tapped twice a
year.
The second year will shew how far an increase of the number of
incisions increases the yield of the rubber.
* In our case we have to deal with clayey soil.
t Large differences are caused in cases where fafctors that cause drying, such as a
clear sky, much sun and wind, are acting during the tapping. Of this, we have been
able to amply satisfy ourselves, and for that reason the trees are tapped as early as
possible in the morning and tapping is not continued longer than till io A M;
288
For that purpose a few trees were, in that year, worked with a
larger number of incisions than was the case in the previous year.
Tree No. 3 yielded, at the first tapping in the first year from a
surface of 2*6 M2 and a total length of the incisions of 104 cm., 41 1
grammes of rubber.
At the second tapping in November of the same year, these figures
were, respectively, as follows, 2.6 M 2 ; 320 c. m. and 998 grammes: —
and at the third tapping in the following year, 3.27 M 2 ; 740 c.ir,,
and 1332 grammes.
Reducing the yields to M 2 surface, then we get with 104, 32 °>
and 740 cm. lengths of. incisions, respectively, 158, 384 and 407
grammes. With a proportion of lengths of incisions of 1 : 3 : 7; the
ratio of the yield is as 1 : 2: 4: 2'6.
These last are not in proportion to the number of incisions. The
most unfavourable is the case in which the number of incisions is
taken 7 times greater.
The figures are readily comparable, because the tap periods were
nearly equally moist, only in the last case it was cut 10 times instead
of 11 times, as had been done in the other instances.
It is a mere chance if the temperature of the one year is the same
during tapping season as that of the following year.
Small variations do not harm, but large differences in the number
of rainy days and the quantity of fallen rain influence the yield of
rubber to a high degree as we shall be able to point out with figures
of our experiments of tapping.
From the above experiments we see that an increase of the num-
ber of incisions furthers the yield of rubber, but not in the same
proportion.
As the incisions always cause more'or less' harm to the tree, we
must not make this number greater than is necessary to get nearly
the biggest possible yield. o
According to the above experiments, an increase of 23 grammes
of rubber per square metre of tapped surface is only obtained after
more than doubling the number of incisions.
In the second year, the trees were tapped as high as possible,
usually to the point where the branches begin to appear. In order
to be able to tap at that height, ladders had to be used.
In this way, however, much time was wasted in the collecting.
We then came to the conclusion that it is of no advantage to tap
the trees to a height which the native tappers could reach with
ease without having to make use of ladders.
From former experiments made, we knew already that the lower
part of the trunk gave th.e bigger yield.
We shall see from experiments of the second and third year that
the lower tapping is more advantageous.
Let us therefore take the figures which the trees Nos. 4, 12 and
20 have given in the two years.
These trees were tapped in both years in nearly similar weather
conditions, a factor which must be considered if we wish to make
just comparisons.
The number of incisions, as was the case in both years, was not
precisely the spme, but this small difference cancelled the drawback
of the unfavourable method of tapping.
Number of Tree.
1901.
1902.
4 1
12
20
4
12
20
Height of tapping
M.
330
2 ‘59
3’67
i‘5
i*5
i-5
Surface tapped
M. 2
3‘65
277
4*50
i*9
17
20
Total lengths of incisions
C. M.
354
301
405
320
320
320
Total yield
Grs.
792
713
958
810
780
230
Yield per M. 2 of tapped surface
Grs.
217
257
213
426
459
615
The above figures speak for a tapping of the tree to a height of
1 '5 metre.
In the year 1901, the question arose whether it was not more
advantageous to make fewer and longer incisions than more and
short ones.
The trees 13, 14, 19 and ;0 of 1901 were tapped as high as
possible and the incisions made 20-30 c.m. long.
In the following year 1902, the trees were tapped lower and the
incisions made not longer than 10 c. m.
In 1901, the incisions were reopened on the upper as well as
lower edge, and in 1002 only on the lower edge.
The results of both years were as follows : —
No. of Tree.
1901.
1 902.
13
T 4
19
20.
!
t
1 ’
14
19
.
20
No. of rainy days, M. M.
Height of tapping, M.
Tapped surface M a-
Total length of incisions c. m.
Total yield, Grs. ...
Yield per M a. of tapped surface Grs.
IO
3 - 28
4 - 33
5- 88
968
224
4
3-66
443
667
630
142
5
3 -o
3-39
356
948
280
8
3-67
4-5
405
958
213
1 3
0,65
0.97
20Q
600
619
3
0.62
0.91
160
460
506
13
i -5
2.03
320
1500
732
13
2.0
320
1230
615
Inasmuch as the temperature variations during both tapping
periods were not the ime (by 13 and 14, he one in 1901 was more
2go
favourable than in 1902), the variations of the yield were of such a
manner that we may deduce from the experiments that it is not
advisable to make long incisions.
The long incisions also have the disadvantage that they require a
considerable time to heal.
In 1901, the question arose whether reopening the incisions, above
as well as below, did not bring about an increase of the yield.
To that effect the incisions on one side of each of four trees were
only reopened on the upper edge and those on the other side on
both upper and lower edge. The results were as follows : —
No. of Tree.
7-
21.
22. \ 23.
,■ 1
a
b
a
b
a
b | a
b
Tapped surface Ms.
Total yield, Grs.
Yield for Ma., Grs.
2*33
380
163
2*33
552
237
i*39
181
130
i*39
37o
266
1*77
236
133
i*77 ! 1*645
403 | 221
228 ! 134
1-645
300
182
a . — Only tapped on lower edge. b . — Tapped on both edges.
The figures shew that the incisions reopened on both upper and
lower edges and gave more rubber than those where only the lower
edge was worked. 0
In the first case, the average yield was 143 grammes per M 3 of
surface and the other 238 grammes.
The double working does not, however, give twice the product.
In 1903, the above experiments were made with a larger number
of trees.
The period of tapping was, however, remarkably dry.
No. of Tree
» . •
3
8c
9
25
26
«
27
28-
29
30
3i
32
33
Surface tapped
M 3 ...
2-2
i*43
2 ‘
1*73
i*43
i*55
i*54
i*39
1*65
i*55
1*52
1*75
Total yield
Grs. ...
858
512
8lO
500
780
487
500
570
877
709
610
910
Yield per M 3
Grs. ...
390
358
j 4 °5
289
545
3i4
325
410
532
457
401
520
As no notes were taken of the very dry East Monsoon, unhappily
only one tree (No. 3) on which the incisions were reopened only
on the lower edge, can be compared with 1 1 others whose incisions
were reopened on both edges.
The yield of tree No. 3 amounted to 390 grammes per M2 of
tapped surface, while as the average of the doubly tapped trees we
get 414 grammes.
Albeit a tapping of the upper and lower edge yields more rubber
than only working the lower edge, the bigger yield does not, how-
ever, cancel the disadvantages of the incisions becoming too broad
by a double tapping. They require a considerable time to heal.
If trees, after having been reopened ten times, still yield much
latex, it is advisable to continue the tapping a little longer only on
the lower edge of the incisions instead of working both edges.
In the years 1903 and 1904, the influence of the temperature
variations on the quantity of the yield of rubber was gone into
closer,,
To that effe; .. the trees taken for tapping from the lot planted
in the Gardens in 1883 were divided into three groups.
Each group was tapped at different seasons of the year.
For 1903, the results were as follows: —
Group.
I.
II.
III.
Tapped in the month(s) of
Jan.-Feb.
June.
Sept.-Oct.
Rainfall
M.M.
3 2 4
197
379
No. of rainy days
. . .
14
7
9
Surface tapped
... M 2
I 2'2
9-26
12*4
Total yield ...
... Grs.
7,115
4 , 3 l8
10,482
Yield per M 2 surface
. .. Grs.
1
583
466
845
In 1904, these three groups, tapped during other periods, gave
the following: —
Group.
I.
II.
III.
Tapped in the month(s) of .
Sept.-Oct.
June-July.
February.
Rainfall
... M.M.
7 11
403
250
No. of rainy days
, . •
17
13
9
Surface tapped
... M 2
12-2
9-26
I2‘4
Total yield
. .. Grs.
6,718
4,678
10,697
Yield per M 2 surface ,
. .. Grs.
1
551
505
863
Inasmuch as both years may be considered wet ones, yet as
regards that, no marked difference is shown in the yield of the
rubber.
The largest variation of rainy days appears in Group II. In this
group, the yield was a little more in the wet year.
In wet years, it does not matter when the Hevea trees are tapped.
In normal cases, the best times for tapping generally are at the
beginning and the end of the wet seasons.
Tapping during the rainy seasons is accompanied by practical
difficulties, as the work is difficult shortly after the rain.
The collection of the latex is difficult as the trunks from the
Heveas are still wet from the rain water, as from the flowing
incisions the latex spreads in all directions of the trunk.
■ As regards the number of times the incisions can be reopened,
no definite figure can be given. In some cases, where after io times
reopening, the incisions still flow freely, it would be irrational to
stop. One taps as long as possible, but after the 15th reopening it
is better to stop as the incisions become too broad and require a
considerable time to thoroughly close again.
In fixed circumstances, it is possible to continue tapping longer
than otherwise.
Temperature and degrees of moisture of the soil may be well
considered as the principal factors which influence this.
It may be mentioned that it is not exactly necessary to provide
the tin cup with a lip with which to fasten it to the trunk. The
experienced worker can fix the cup into the bark of the tree with
its sharp edge in such a manner that it will not fall down and like-
wise is not absolutely necessary to connect the cup and the bark
with clay.
In order to prevent coagulation of the latex in the cups and on
its way into them, it is advisable to put in them some .water before-
hand and to put a cup for every two incisions.
If only one cup is used for each vertical row of incisions, the latex
flowing from the uppermost incision must traverse too long a way
before it settles in the cup.
In this way the latex is subject to evaporation, through which is
caused a bigger yield of scrap rubber (that is the product which is
coagulated on the stem).
The method of preparation used in our experiments (coagulating
with alcohol, drying in air and over unslaked lime) is not sufficiently
satisfactory to be used tin a large scale.
Therefore, other experiments were made about which will be
reported at a suitable time.
THE HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF
AGRICULTURE IN THE MALAY
PENINSULA.
The history of agriculture in any country and the origin of the
plants cultivated there is always an instructive and interesting study.
It is often difficult to determine when or how a plant of economic
value first found its way into a country and who it was that brought
or introduced it. In the history of agriculture in the Malay Penin-
sula the stories of the origin of the introduction of the most valuable
of our cultivated plants, though more or less known to few, are not
in accessible records, and many erroneous ideas have been pro-
mulgated as to the persons and establishments wffio should rightly
be credited with work the results of which have been of so much
importance to the country, and which have so much benefited all
who make even a temporary Tiome in this region.
293
I was the more attracted to research in this direction by reading
a statement of an erroneous and misleading nature made by Dr.
WILLIS, Director of the Botanic Gardens in Ceylon, in a report re-
cently published on the agriculture of the Federated Malay States.
It may be stated that Dr. Willis was invited by the present Resi-
dent-General of the Native States to visit the Malay. Peninsula and
Java, and to write a report on the agriculture ; unfortunately he was
unable to visit* the Botanic Gardens in Singapore for more than an
hour or two on two evenings and consequently was unable to form
any idea of the working of this establishment or to learn what had
been done by its means for the development of agriculture in the
Native States as well as the Colony for the past thirty years, and
thus he gives the Department scant credit for its work, which, as
will be seen, has been the basis of the whole of the agriculture of
the Peninsula and the mainspring of its development to the present
day.
Dr. Willis’ statement above referred to runs as follows: —
“ The majority of the crops at present cultivated in the Malay
“ States owe their introduction to private enterprise, but rubber was
“ introduced into the Government Gardens at Kuala Kangsar and a
“ number of things have come through the Botanic Gardens of Singa-
pore and Penang in the Straits Settlements. Coffee, I believe, is
“ one of those introductions and the spread of rubber is largely due
‘ to the exertions of Mr. RIDLEY’S Department.”
This is all he says about the work done for the Federated Malay
Sates by the Botanic Gardens of the Colony. The fiction as to the
introduction of Para Rubber into Perak by the Government of Perak,
more implied than definitely stated in the report, was exposed in
one of the Agricultural, Bulletins, Straits Settlements and Federated
Malay States, some time back. The fact that the Colonial Gardens
have for thirty years supplied the Federated Malay States with plants
and seeds, and have been constantly utilized by their Government
officials and planters in the same way as those of the Colony,
though the Federated Malay States have never contributed a cent
towards the expenses of the Gardens, is entirely ignored.
As, therefore, there seems to be so much ignorance as to the work
done by the Botanic Gardens, and their history, a short account of
the development of agriculture in the Malay Peninsula, as far as the
facts are at present procurable, may not be out of place in the
Bulletin. The story is necessarily incomplete, fdr very few records,
of what was done in Singapore, Malacca and Penang in the early
days have been preserved. If any reports or statements on the
subject were ever written, they were either not printed at all, or if
printed no copies remain in Singapore, at least, at the present day.
The Singapore Library contains barely* anything except an incom-
plete but valuable set of local newspapers and Logan’s Journal,
printed between the years 1822 and 1880. The archives also of
the Singapore Gardens, between 1875 and 1888, are very incom-
plete. I have, therefore, merely recorded such facts of interest as
2£4
throw light on the history of the cultivation and introduction of
plants, as far as I could procure from these various sources.
It must be remembered, however, that this article is not a review
of the work of the Botanic Gardens Department, but merely a review
of that part which relates to the development of agriculture in the
Colony and the Federated Malay States; The introduction of new
and useful plants, their propagation and dispersal to whatever place
they could be of use, forms but a small part of the work, extensive
though it is. In a properly organized Botanic Garden, experiments
have to be made not only with the plants which have proved suc-
cessful but also with a larger number of plants which may prove
failures. Before the Botanic Gardens were founded, planters lost
money, often to a large extent, by introducing and attempting to
cultivate plants highly recommended as valuable crops in other
countries, but which were complete failures in this country. MuRTON,
for instance, mentions that, before his arrival in the Colony, much
time and money was wasted in an attempt to grow the Prickly
Comfrey, Symphytum tuberosum, a native of the Caucasus, as a fod-
der plant ; utterly unsuited for this country it failed. Hundreds of
other plants, possibly suited for this country, and of considerable
value, if successful, have been at different times introduced, and
failed to grow satisfactorily. Thus several attempts were made here
to grow the opium poppy, and seed was distributed, to all parts of
the Peninsula. It failed to stand the wetness of this climate, but
though the experiment was not successful it was of the utmost
importance that it should be tried, for the knowledge that a plant of
economic importance will not thrive in this country is of nearly as
much importance as the knowledge that it will prove successful.
For, in these cases, if no profit can be made on the plant, still, there
is no need that any money should be thrown away on it, as was too
often the case formerly.
Again, the researches in propagation, cultivation and preparation
of different vegetable products, the study of the Botany of the coun-
try, pi the various insect and fungus pests, and the means of com-
batting them, and the immense mass of corresponde nce with planters,
merchants, enquirers of all sorts, form no small items of the work of
a large Botanic Gardens Establishment, none of which labours can be
gone into in this paper which simply deals with one branch of the
various works of the Botanic Gardens, viz,, the part which it has
played in the introduction of the more useful plants of cultivation.
But it may be mentioned that since the foundation of the Botanic
Gardens to the present day, the Federated Malay States have
enjoyed the benefits of all these various works of the Colonial Gar-
dens fully as much as the Colony itself has.
Our first records of what was cultivated in the Malay Peninsula
dates from the close of the sixteenth century, when the Portuguese
were occupying Malacca. At that time and for centuries later
what are now known as the Federated Malay States were entirely
uncultivated trackless forests, as also were Singapore and Penang.
They produced nothing but a little jungle produce and tin and gold.
Malacca, however, was an important port and being often visited
by travellers we have some account of its productions. LlNSCHOTEN
(1583) mentions in his “Voyage to the East Indies”, as cultivated
plants in Malacca, Mangoes, Cashew-nut (which he says had not long
been introduced from America), Jambus (obviously from its descrip-
tion Eugenia Malaccensis , “Jambu Bol”), Jambolanes {Eugenia
Jamboiana ), Bananas, Coco-nuts, Durians, Betel-nuts, Sirih, Black
Pepper, Papaya, Cana fistula ( Cassia fistula) and the shrub Nyctan-
thes arhor-tristis. Pineapples, he mentions as having-been brought
not very long previously from Santa Cruz in Brazil to the West
Indies and thence to India, and they w T ere almost certainly cultivated
in Malacca about that time. Chillies of several varieties were also
cultivated in Malacca, then [Carcia da Orta Historia aromatum).
The only plant, however, which was cultivated at that time to any
extent, was Black Pepper, for the export of which Malacca was the
great emporium. Rice was, of course, also cultivated, but only, it
seems, for local consumption. Indeed it appears that this country,
then and certainly later, did not produce enough Rice for its popula-
tion. It is probable that other plants were introduced during Portu-
guese occupation, especially some of the fruit trees such as the Jujub
{Zizyphus Jujuba) and the Sapodilla (Achras sapota) y but of this we
have no definite proof.
No progress seems to have been made under Dutch rule, and indeed
agriculture seems to have retrograded somewhat, as it is stated
that, under Dutch administration, the natives were actually prohibited
from growing Rice.
Arabian Coffee was probably introduced at this time, for it was
introduced to Java by the Dutch Governor Van HoORNE in 1690,
(Crawford’s Dictionary) and'doubtless soon found its way to Malacca.
A number of introduced plants bear in their Malay names the affix
Blanda, (Javanese Wolanda, i.e., Hollander), but this does not I think
necessarily imply that the plants bearing this name were introduced
by the Dutch as the word now at least merely means foreign.
“Nona Blanda” ( Anona muricata , the Sour Sop) and “ Chermei
Blanda” ( Eugenia uniflora ) are examples. The latter was intro-
duced into Malacca from Brazil long after the Dutch had left the
Peninsula.
The next development of cultivation followed on the settling of
Penang by Captain Light in 1786. The Island, at that time, con-
tained practically no cultivated plants except a few coco-nuts and
fruit trees. Mr. Christopher Smith, the Botanist to the Hon’ble
East India Company (1794), was appointed in 1796 to go to the
Moluccas to collect spice-plants. He shipped off from there 71,266
Nutmegs, and 55,264 Clove plants and large quantities of seeds of
the Canary-nut ( Canarium commune )* and Gomuti Palm [Arenva
saccharifera). The greater part of these plants were sent to Penang
the rest to Kew, Calcutta, Madras and the Cape of Good Hope.
He was appointed sole Superintendent of the Botanic Gardens of
Penang, in 1806, and is said to have died there about the same year.
2g6
He was also a botanist and collected plants and made drawings
of them which are now in the British Museum. Cinnamon and
Pepper were also planted in Penang about this time, and from 1803
to 1820 there was a great development of the spice cultivations
which continued till i860, when the destruction of the Nutmeg trees
by disease, especially in Singapore, checked the cultivation. In
Penang, however, the cultivation never died out as it did further
South, but passed into the hands of natives, who maintain it to this
day. The descendants of Smith’s trees still produce the most
valued Nutmegs and Cloves in the world. Gambier was introduced
in Penang, in 1807, but it was cultivated to a much larger extent
in the mainland.
Thus things remained till Sir STAMFORD RAFFLES, in 1819,
founded Singapore. He was one of the few people in those early
days who realised the importance of agriculture, and of introducing
new and valuable plants. He introduced Nutmegs and Cloves to
Singapore as early as 1819 and planted them as well as Cocoa, in
the first Botanic Garden in Singapore, in 1823.
He writes to MARSDEN, in January 31st, of that year, “I am lay-
ing out a botanic and experimental garden, ” and to Dr. WALLICH
(February 8th), “The Botanic Garden goes on well, I am now
employed in laying out the walks, and stones are collected for a
handsome hand railway round it” (Memoirs by his widow, pp. 535 >
537). This garden was on the slopes of Fort Canning which was
then the Governor’s residence. A gardener named DUNN had
arrived in Singapore previously in 18 9, with letters of recommenda-
tion from Raffles and a supply of . pice-plants.
Buckley, in his Anecdotal History of Singapore, Vol. I, p. 74,
states that Botanical Gardens were established and that Dr. Wal-
LICH was appointed Superintendent, and that RAFFLES gave him
48 acres more land for the Gardens and Government House ground,
and a grant of 48 acres was given from ue Government House
garden in 1822 to the Superintendent and his successors to the
North-East of the hill. This, as will be seen from Raffles’ letter
above quoted, is incorrect. The Gardens were co . menced in 1822;
Dr. WALLICH, though he doubtless took much interest in the Gar-
dens, was not Superintendent of it, strictly speaking, as he had only
come down from Calcutta to recuperate after his Nepal trip and
returned to Calcutta, January, 1823. RAFFLES left Singapore in
June of the same year. WALLICH seems to have promised to send
a Superintendent for the Gardens from Calcutta, but it is not cer-
tain whether hfc did so. The monthly vote for the up-keep of the
Botanic Gardens then was 60 dollars. As happened with so many
of RAFFLES’ plans for the development of the Colony, the Gardens
seem to have been neglected as soon as he retired and were
abolished altogether in 1829 by LORD WILLIAM BENTINCK, the
Govern or- General, a man .who seemed possessed with the mania of
retrenchment. Ten convicts, however, were employed to keep the
ground in order (Buckley, p. 206). I have been quite unable to
find any trace of this Garden now.
o
297
In 1822, the Botanic Gardens at Ayer Hitam in Penang /ere
founded, but I am not sure whether they were on the site of CHRIS-
TOPHER Smith’s original spice gardens, or when the latter ceased
to exist. The Ayer Hitam Gardens were put under the charge of
GEORGE Porter, a schoolmaster with a taste for botany, who sent
many specimens of Penang plants to WALLICH, which were distri-
buted in the Wallichian Collections. PORTER remained there in
charge till 2834, when the gardens were sold by Governor MUR-
CHISON for 1,250 rupees. The importance of Botanic Gardens in
the early part of last century does not appear to have been under-
stood by the Governors of Singapore and Penang, and it is stated
that Porter had some trouble with the Governor, because the
latter’s wife complained that he did not cultivate enough vegetables
for her table, this being the only use conceivable by His Excellency
of Botanic Gardens.
With the retirement and death of Sir STAMFORD RAFFLES, pro-
gress in agriculture commenced to dwindle and though Dr. Oxley,
and a few other Europeans took a certain amount of interest in the
subject, little advance was made in cultivation for many years.
Planting certainly increased in some directions under the hands of
the Chinese, and also under Europeans, Nutmegs, Cloves, Coco-
nuts, Sugar, Gambir and Pepper were grown to a considerable
extent, but only empirically and without the aid of any scientific
botanist. The result of this method was shown in the sudden
collapse of the Nutmeg plantations in i860, entailing enormous
losses of capital and general despondency. Later again came the
devastation of the Coco-nut estates by the two Coco-nut beetles,
added to which came considerable losses of money due to various
speculations of amateur planters, one o f which is mentioned by
MuRTON in his first Annual Report.
An Agricultural and Horticultural Society was founded about 1837
in Singapore, when Dr. MONTGOMERIE was President, and Dr.
Oxley took a leading part in it. Papers were read on Cotton plant-
ing and other subjects, and it is said all the European gentlemen
then in Singapore belonged to it. It seems to have died a natural
death about 1846, about which time a similar society was founded in
Penang under the name of the Agricultural Planters’ Association.
In 1859, another Agri-Horticultural Society was founded in
Singapore. This was chiefly really a Horticultural Society and
commenced the laying out of a portion of fohat are now the pre-
sent Botanic Gardens. The Gardens were supported by public
subscription, aided by Fancy Bazaars and Exhibitions, but as has
often happened in s'milar societies the subscriptions at last proved
insufficient, and in 1874 the Gardens were taken over by the
Government. In 1874, Mr. James CdLLlNS was appointed Economic
Botanist and also took charge of the Raffles Museum. He is chiefly
known for his work on Rubber published in 1879-1891, and he
also started the Journal of East Asia, of which, however, only - a
single number was published. He made a collection of gums,
2g8
o
resins and other vegetable products, which is now in the Botanic
Gardens Museum. He left in 1875.
In 1875, Mr. A. J. MURTON was appointed Superintendent of the
Botanic Gardens, and shortly afterwards Mr, Walter Fox, his
Assistant. Mr. MURTON remained in charge till 1 879. He intro-
duced a large number of useful, as well as ornamental, plants into
cultivation, including Para Rubber, Castilloa, Cera Rubber, Liberian
Coffee, Ipecacuanha, and very many other plants. He also studied
the local flora, especially giving his attention to Gutta-Percha and
the wild rubber vines Willoughbeia, and made botanical excursions
into Perak and Kedah, during one of which he planted the first
Para Rubber trees in Perak in Sir (then Mr,) Low's garden at
Kuala Kangsa and at Teluk Anson.
In 1880, Mr. MURTON was succeeded by Mr. N. Cantley, who
continued the excellent work begun by Mr. MURTON, and in 1884
managed to add to the Gardens a large piece of land known as the
Military Reserve, which was forthwith converted into the Economic
Gardens. This land, covered to a large extent with scrub, and some
Chinese vegetable and Indigo gardens, was a valuable acquisition
as the original Botanic Gardens were far too small for the propa-
gation of the useful plants required for the Colony and the Native
States which were now beginning to develop.
Although the funds available for opening up this part of the gar-
den were not large, good progress was made. ' Numbers of new and
useful plants were introduced and those previously introduced were
extensively propagated and dispersed to various parts of the Peninsula
and elsewhere. Mr. CANTLEY published also a list and account of
the Economic plants under cultivation in the Gardens, a good deal
of his time also was taken up in framing the Forest Department
and experimental planting of timber trees. Mr. CANTLEY died in
Tasmania in 1887 and was succeeded in 1888 by the present Direc-
tor (H. N. Ridley).
During Mr. CANTLEYS’ superintendence, the present Botanic Gar-
dens of Penang were founded and put under the charge of Mr. C.
CURTIS in 1884. These Gardens were not only ornamental but
supplied a considerable number of useful plants to planters in other
paris of Penang, and Mr. CURTIS made also many important con-
tributions to our knowledge of the cultivation of Rubber, Gutta-
percha, Sugar, and other useful plants. He retired in 1903.
The small gardens'of Malacca at Bukit Sebukor were founded in
1886, on ground presented by a Chinaman, on condition that it
should be converted into a garden, and should revert to him if the
garden was given up, which happened in 1894, when the Govern-
ment abolished the Garden. The Malacca Garden was under the
superintendence of Mr. Robert Derry. The use of this Garden
was simply to supply local requirements in shade and fruit trees and
other useful plants necessary for the inhabitants of Malacca, which
work it did very well, but besides this experiments were carried out
by the Superintendent on Castor Oil, fibre plants, Mauritius hemp,
299
Pineapple, etc., and other useful plants, and the first Para- Rubber
trees in Malacca were planted in this Garden. Some time after the
abolition of this Garden, a small garden was made at the water works
at Ayer Keroh, where a number of useful plants were cultivated,
and near the same place plantations of Para Rubber and Gutta-per-
cha were planted. It is interesting to note that the first practical
rubber estate started in the Malay Peninsula was made by Mr. Tan
Chay Yan, at Bukit Lintang, in Malacca, in 1896. This planter
later opened an estate at Bukit Asahan which is probably the biggest
estate in the Peninsula.
Agriculture in the Native States received its first impetus under
Sir Hugh Low, in Perak, in 1876. Teak was planted on road sides,
Coffee cultivated on the Hermitage and other hills and Cinchona also
tried as well as Tea, some Cocoa, and Pepper.
At Kuala Kangsar, many of the best indigenous fruits were culti-
vated, Para-Rubber introduced, and one or two plants of Ficus elas-
tica grown as terrestrial plants instead of epiphytes as usually seen.
In some of the gardens, Tea, Coffee, Pepper and some fruits were
cultivated on a sufficiently large scale to test their marketable value
but with Sir Hugh Low’s departure nearly all were leased and soon
collapsed. The Kuala Kangsar Garden became the depot of ex-
change for all the different districts of Perak, all of which were well
provided with fruit trees and other economics and this garden has
been regularly maintained as the principal Perak Garden. The last
garden started by Sir Hugh Low is on the Taiping Hills, where the
tree Tomato and English vegetables are successfully grown,
AGRICULTURAL PERIODS.
The history of the progress of agriculture in the Malay Peninsula
may be roughly divided into three periods, both for European and
Native cultivations. These periods being marked by the main or
large cultivations of each class of cultivators. They are as fol-
lows : —
European.
A. 1800 to 1860, Nutmegs and
Cloves.
B. 1875 to 1898, Liberian Cof-
fee.
C. 1 896 to 1905, Rubber.
Native.
Pepper and Gambier.
Tapioca and Indigo.
Pine-apples,
Sugar and Coco-nuts (European cultivation mainV): Sago and
Betel-nuts ( native cultivation ) were successfully cultivated all
through these periods.
The first thing that is noticeable in, this is that the European
cultivations were all exotic, and that the characteristic cultivated
plants were all introduced by the Botanic Gardens of the period :
Nutmegs and Cloves, by Christopher Smith in the first Penang
Hardens : Liberian Coffee and Rubber by MURTON in the Botanic
Hardens of Singapore. Then it is noticeable that the Europeans
3oo
were never really successful with the plants cultivated by natives
nor were the natives ever really successful with those cultivated by
Europeans, Two classes of cultivation, however, dropped by Euro-
peans, were taken up by natives. Spices, abandoned by Europeans
in i860, on account of disease, are still cultivated in Penang and
Province Wellesley by natives. Pine-apples for tinning, originally
cultivated by Europeans, passed very soon into the hands of the
Chinese.
The native cultivations always consisted of plants either of local
origin or which had long been cultivated often for other purposes
in the region. Native cultivators, practically Chinese only, are very
conservative, and seldom follow at all on the lines of European
cultivation or accept European ideas. An instance of this was the
attempt, about 18 years ago, to induce the Chinese vegetable gar-
deners to grow a better class of vegetables by supplying them with
European vegetable seed free. This was done by the Committee
of the Botanic Gardens in Singapore. It was a failure. The
Chinese either threw the seed away or neglected the plants. It was
not till years afterwards that they began to grow Tomatos, and that
there is reason to believe from Chinese seed, and still later they
commenced to grow Artichokes. Of course, I do not mean to say
there have never been natives who have followed European advice
to a certain extent. The first cultivator of Rubber was a Chinaman.
Mr. Tan ChAY Yan. When Liberian Coffee was grown largely by
Europeans, Javanese and other natives had small and usually badly
cared-for plantations, but the bulk of the native cultivators stick to
the small cultivations which they understand.
The changes in the forms of cultivations above referred to are
really our only substitute tor the rotation of crops. The system of
cultivation in the tropics is to go on* cultivating a plant on the same
ground till it is no longer remunerative, and then abandon the land,
or if necessary start another kind of c r op. Fallowing land is un-
known, except, in the form of throwing back the impoverished
ground on the hands of the Government, perhaps for many years,
till some one takes it into his head tcf use it again. Immense areas
of land were thus spoilt by the Gambir, Pepper and Tapioca plan-
ters, and a good deal after a few years’ use has never been touched
again for fifty years or longer.
Though most of the land in the Colony which was at one time
cultivated and abandoned has never been utilised a second time
(for as long as a native planter could lease a scrap of virgin forest
he would never apply for a piece of even secondary jungle), now
that most of the woodland anywhere near the towns has been des-
troyed, the previously rejected abandoned land is in many places
coming again into cultivation. The old Chasseriau Estate in Singa-
pore is one of the few pieces of land which has really had a regular
rotation of crops on it. It began with Tapioca, given up on a fall
of prices, then came Cotton, a failure, Coffee which practically failed,
then in parts Indigo, Ginger, Chillies and other minor cultivations,
and finally is now mostly under Pineapples. It was probably under
3d
Pepper and Gambir before the Tapioca, but of this fhave no record.
Bad as the stiff clay soil of this area is-, the continued cultivation
has considerably improved it, and it is an example of what could
be done with the waste lands, if natives could be induced to con-
tinue cultivating them.
The causes of this compulsory rotation of crops are few in num-
ber. The sr -trees were abandoned on account of a disease in
i860. In those days there were no scientific men, nor any Botanic
or Experimental Gardens in the Colony where the causes of such
diseases could be inve i igated and means of attacking them be
dev’ d, and so serious a catastrophe is hardly likely to be a cause
of aoandoning a cultivation again. Liberian Coffee was dropped
owing to a fall in price of the product. Pepper and Gambier (always
grown together) died out on account of the available land being
used up, and the exhaustion of the firewood, which was very extra-
vagantly used. Tapioca, which like Gambir is a very exhausting
crop, also went off- the ground from exhaustion of the soil. Indigo,
almost exclusively cultivated in Singapore, was abandoned, mainly
on account of the fact that it was necessary to grow it near the
town where the dye-works were. The development of the town
and demand for building lots practically drove out the dye-houses,
which required large supplies of water, only to be had in certain
places.
HISTORY OF THE ECONOMIC PLANTS.
beverages:*
Coffee {Arabian ). — The earliest mention I have found of the cul-
tivation of Coffee in the Malay Peninsula is by Dr. KOENIG in his
manuscript account of his oyage in the East in 1779, where he
records seeing some in a garden in Malacca. I think, however, it is
probable that it was introduced earlier, as it was introduced into
Java >y Van HooRjn'e in 1690, and was probably brought over to
Malacca by the Dutch when they first occupied Malacca. Newbold
mentions seeing it in Malacca in small quantities in 1833, in his
account of Naning, and Balestier (Logan’s Journal II, p. 1 4 1 )
mentions a few frees growing in Penang in 1848. In these early
days, it was chiefly grown in a casual sort of way by natives for
personal use and there is no really early record of any attempt to
grow it for export, by Europeans till later, when many attempts
were made by European planters to cultivate it on a large scale,
but being a plant un ted for this country these attempts were
practical failures. It was grown, however, at Waterloo Estate and
elsewhere as late as 1902.
The soil and climate, in fact, is not suitable for this plant, and in
1891 {Agricultural Bulletin , No. 1, p. 14), I wrote, “l do not think
that Arabian Coffee can ever be successfully cultivated in the Straits
Settlements.” This statement was strongly criticised and con-
302
demned as objectionable on the ground that the plant had done well
in Perak, and the statement would deter planters from planting it.
The cultivation, however, soon entirely failed and it is doubtful if
there is an acre of Arabian Coffee cultivated for profit in any part
of the Peninsula to-day.
Liberian Coffee. — On the discovery of Liberian Coffee in 1875
and its introduction by Mr. MuRTON to the Malay Peninsula the
same year, Coffee cultivation became the most important European
cultivation in the Peninsula. The plant was discovered in Liberia
and Mr. WILLIAM BULL introduced it into England, whence by the
assistance of Kew plants were obtained at the Botanic Gardens of
Singapore. One of the original introduced plants was growing still
in the Gardens in 1890, when it died. Mr. MURTON carried plants
up to Teluk Anson, Kuala Kangsa and Larut in 1876, as he didthe
Para- rubber trees and also sent plants to Sungei Ujong.
Sir Hugh Low, who was much interested in the new introduction*
reports in a letter to Mr. MURTON, in 1876, that the plants had
fruited, but that all the fruits had been stolen. Further supplies,
however, were soon forthcoming and very shortly there were widely
extended estates all over the Malay States. From the introduction
of Liberian Coffee may be said indeed to have originated the agri-
culture of Selangor, Perak and Negri Sembilan. Besides the Euro-
pean estates, a number of natives, Javanese and Chinese also made
plantations of Liberian Coffee and in 1892 I found a small number
of plants as far off as the upper reaches of the Tembeling River,
where, however, the Malays only used the leaves, of which they made
a kind of tea. The leaves of the plant are indeed commonly added
to the contents of the tea-pot in Chinese shops to the present day,
and at one time there was a proposal to start a Company in Java
for preparing Coffee leaves for native consumption : so popular was
it.
Liberian Coffee was originally stated to be proof against Hemi-
leia, but did not prove so. The harm, however, that this leaf-fungus
inflicted on the plants was almost negligible and when trees were
badly affected and injured by it, it was generally considered that
the soil was unsuitable and the plant weak and bad. There is still
a good deal of Coffee in the Peninsula, and much of it returns a fair
to good profit.
It suffered, however, in 1900 in SelangoV, from a bad attack of the
Caterpillars of the Bee-hawk moth, which nearly destroyed some
estates. The fall in price of Coffee, generally due to the vast out-
put of the product in Brazil and the sudden discovery of the planters
that Rubber was likely lo prove more remunerative in 1898, a fact
which attempts had been made to impress on them from 1890 on-
wards, caused the abandonment of a good deal of the Coffee cultiva-
tion in favour of the new agriculture. The Coffee, however, had done
its work. It had opened the way to agriculture in the Malay States,
brought planters, and money there, and showed that something
more could be done with the Peninsula that dig tin and gold out
of it.
3°3
For this opening of what was unremunerative fo. ;st and its con-
version into remunerative estates, the Federated Malay States have
to thank the first Head of the Botanic Gardens of Singapore, Mr.
MURTON. Other Coffee plants were also introduced experimentally
by the Botanic Gardens.
Cape Coast Coffee, by Mr. MURTON, in 1875, Maragopie Coffee
and a Mauritius variety Caf’Nain by Mr. CANTLEY in 1882 and
Coffea bengalensis.
Of these most have dropped out of cultivation from one cause or
another, but usually because they did not fruit as well as the Liberian
Coffee. Maragopie Coffee, however, is still sometimes asked for
though it never seems to have been really disease-proof or come up
to what was claimed for it.
Coffea stenophylla was introduced in 1895 from Kew, and distri-
buted as quickly as might be to the Coffee planters. A small berried
Coffee of very high quality and fruiting well, it would probably
have been largely planted, but for the rise of Rubber cultivation
shortly after its discovery. One of the first trees received was given
to Mr. W. W. Bailey of Klang, who tended it carefully, and with
much pains and skill produced the grand hybrid between it and
Liberian Coffee, of which Dr. TREUB, the Director of Buitenzorg
Gardens, stated on seeing it that it would entirely revolutionize
Coffee -growing.
During 1900, Coffea Laurentii robusta , a very handsome Coffee
bush, was introduced. It 1 as hardly had a fair trial as yet, but at
present it appears in the Gardens to be a most floriferous plant, but
not fruitful enough to please the cultivator.
Nyasa-land Coffee was introduced in 1902, Angola Coffee, a varie-
ty of C. arabica and Zanzibar Coffee, in 1904.
Chocolate . — The first record I have of the cultivation of Chocolate
in the Peninsula is the mention of a tree in a garden in Malacca by
Koenig, in 1779. It is next mentioned in the Life of Sir Stamford
Raffles as one of the trees planted in the ground round the Govern-
ment House in 1818 Thomson writing in Logan’s Journal in 1850
says that there were a few trees in Singapore at that time. It
seemed to be scarce, however, and Murton reintroduced it in 1877,
and supplied Perak with plants in 1879; about 1880, a series of the
best Trinidad varieties was introduced to the Singapore Botanic
Gardens and some of these plants are still fruiting at the present
day.
At one time there was a good demand for Cocoa plants and seed
and a considerable number were distributed to various planters. Very
little success, however, has attended the cultivation of this plant here.
The soil of much of the Peninsula is too, poor for it, and it suffers
very much from the attacks of fungi and vermin, perhaps worse
from the raids on the fruit made by squirrels (tupais) and civet cats,
and consequently it has never been a popular plant here. The tree
however, often grows and fruits well and fine pods have been fre-
quently shown from the Botanic Gardens trees and from the gar-
3°4
dens and esb .es of private persons at the various agricultural
shows.
Tea . — I cannot find that there was any Tea grown in the Malay
Peninsula till MtJRTON introduced both Assam and Chinese Tea in
1877, when he distributed it to Sungei Ujong and other parts of the
Peninsula.
Tea gardens were made by Sir HUGH Low on the Thaiping and
Hermitage Hills and those of the latter station produced, under the
management of Mr. Cock, a good deal of excellent produce till after
the death of Mr. COCK, the gardens were practically abandoned.
Tea was grown also successfully in Singapore, Johore and M ..cca,
for some time, but though the shrub grows with the greatest ease and
readiness, almost anywhere, the low price of the product has never
tempted planters to lay out estates on a large scale. All the re-
corded varieties of Tea have been introduced by the Botanic Gardens
at one time or another, but the most suitable for cultivation has been
the Assam variety. Chinese Tea has seldom done well.
SPICES.
Nutmegs and Cloves were introduced into Penang by CHRISTO-
PHER Smith, in 1796, and into Singapore, by Sir Stamford
Raffles, in 1822. The cultivation throve till i860, when a large
proportion of it was destroyed by disease as described in Bulletin
I, p. 99. It did not die out in Penang and Province Wellesley but
passed into native hands.
One or two plantations of Nutmeg remained in Malacca till quite
lately, and Mr. Robert Little started a plantation of Nutmegs
which did very well and Cloves less satisfactory in Singapore some
years ago. A few of the old trees of the Nutmeg plantations remained
in Singapore till the last few years, but I believe all are gone now.
Pepper was cultivated in Malacca before 1583, and was exten-
sively cultivated in Penang and Singapore, Johore, Perak, etc., till a
few years ago, when owing to low prices and especially to the dis-
appearance of Gambir with which it was cultivated, chiefly due to
the failure of the firewood supply, the cultivation in Singapore was
abandoned.
Cubebs . — Piper Cubeba were introduced by MURTON in 1877.
The price of the product was then high and the Dutch attempted
to keep the cultivation entirely in their own hands. It was impos-
sible to procure stoex from them in 1889, though attempts were
made to get fresh plants, a few years later, the price fell to so little
that the cultivation was abandoned all over the East.
All-spice . — Pimento acris were introduced by Murton in 1877,
but as has happened in many other parts of the world, it refused to
fruit here, so that the cultivation is practically confined to the West
Indies.
Cardamoms were introduced by MURTON in 1875. The plant
however, requires some altitude to fruit well, and does not succeed
in the plains. Attempts to grow it in Perak or Se :;or s in the hill
districts where it might do, do not seem to have been made.
Ginger (. Zingiber officinale ), a plant of unknown origin, having
never been found in a wild state, was cultivated in Singapore, in
1850, and is still often cultivated in the Colony as also is Turmeric.
TAN STUFFS AND DYES.
Gambir. — The history of the introduction of Gambir into agri-
culture was published in the first series of th z Agricultural Bulletin
p. 22. The Malays formerly used Cate or Cutch, the product of the
Indian Acacia catechu , to chew with betel, but this became too
expensive, and they used to chew the leaves of a species of Uncaria ,
possibly Gambir, with betel-nut instead (1720); this plant they called
Daun Gatta, because it tasted like Cate’ and' Gatta Gambir (the
latter word a perversion of Krambu scented).
Before 1750, they discovered the way of making cakes or lozenges
of the extract to replace the expensive Indian Cutch. In 1758, seed
was obtained in Johore and later, plants, and these were taken to
Malacca, where plantations were formed to such an extent that the
price of the Gambir cakes fell to less than a quarter of their original
price. It was cultivated by Chinese and Malays in Penang, in 1807
and introduced to Singapore, in 1819. In 1820, it began to be
exported to China and Java as a dyeing and tanning agent.
Its cultivation was confined to the Colony and Johore, very little
being grown in other parts of the Peninsula, but a good deal also
was grown in the Dutch Islands.
The cultivation has always been in the hands of natives, the export
Gambir being made almost if not quite exclusively by the Chinese.
The Malays cultivated it only for local consumption. Europeans
here hardly ever paid any attention to it, and I doubt if there has
ever been a really European, plantation.
I am by no means certain as to the original wild habitat of
Uncaria Gambir. It can often be seen long persisting in woods
which have grown 1 p 1 ver abandoned cultivation, but I have never
seen it undoubtedly wi.d anywhere. Rumphius gives descriptions
of three species of Uncaria from Amboina, Celebes and Palembang,
but it is doubtful whether any of these are the real plant. Its use
as a tan stuff was undoubtedly discovered by the Chinese.
‘‘Terra Japonica , an old name for Gambir, is mentioned among
goods sent as tribute to China in the history. of the Ming Dynasty
(1368-1643), but this was probably Indian Cutch.
Divi-Divi, Caesalpinia coriaria , the pods of which are used for
tanning, was introduced to the Malay Peninsula by MuRTON in 1878.
It was cultivated to some extent in Singapore at least till about
1890, but its cultivation has been abandoned as the trees did not
produce enough pods in proportion to the ground it took up.
Log- wood, Heematoxylon campeachianum , introduced at the
Botanic Gardens, Singapore, has never been cultivated. It is of
slow growth, and is not sufficiently remunerative»
3°6
Indigo appe^s to have been cultivated in Penang about 1848,
introduced probably from Java by natives and later on a fairly large
scale in Singapore, till about 1902, when its cultivation began to die
out in Singapore. It was only made in a liquid condition and
carried in baskets lined with paper to the dye works, so that it could
only be cultivated profitably near a town. It was never made into
cakes for export, nor did it seem possible to do so. Experiments
in this direction were made at the Botanic Gardens and by the
Government Analyst in 1893, but they were practically failures.
The demand for land near town, and the opening of the railway
caused the disappearance of the cultivation. It was essential that
the dye works should have a good supply of running water and when
the land they occupied was required for building and the railway
several of the dye works closed down, and have not been reopened,
and consequently the Indigo cultivation has almost entirely disap-
peared.
Sappan-wood, Csesalpinia Sappan , a native of the Malay Pen-
insula, used in dyeing red. It is seldom cultivated, but has been an
article of trade for some hundreds of years.
Marsdenia tinctoria, a climber producing Indigo introduced from
Sumatra, probably very early by the Malays, was formerly to be
seen in Chinese Indigo fields, here and there, but no one seems to
have known how to utilize it, and it has almost entirely disappeared.
DRUGS.
Comparatively few have been cultivated in the Malay Peninsula
to any extent.
Ipecacuanha was frst introduced by MuRTON in 1875 from Ceylon
and later, 1876, from Australia and on several other occasions at still
later date. The first attempt tc cultivate it was in Sungei Ujong
in 1877. It was later cultivated in Johore at Pengerang estate and
is still in cultivation at Klang. Mr. Bailey, who grew it at both
these last two estates, seems to be the only planter who has ever
been successful with it. The Malay Peninsula drug has always
fetched good price.
Croton-oil seed was introduced in 1882 and possibly earlier. It
was formerly cultivated to a small extent on several estates, and is
now occasionally asked for. The demand, however, is very small.
Balsam of Peru, Tolnifera balsamum , was introduced in the Bota-
nic Gardens, Singapore, in 1882. It thrives well though rather a
slow grower. The finest trees I have seen are at Perseverance
Estate, Singapore.
Nux-Vomica, Strychnos Nux Vomica, was introduced in the
Botanic Gardens, in 1879. The plant is a slow grower and has
never fruited.
Sarsaparilla , from Jamaica, was introduced in 1888; some years
later, roots were sent home for report, which was that the roots
were too small, otherwise suitable.
Tamarind . — Tamar Indus indicus no doubt found its way Here
many years ago but whether regarded as a dye, drug, or condiment
the local supply is furnished by Indian bazaars.
Cola acuminata and C. vera. — The Cola-nuts were introduced in
1 88 1 and not soldom sent to the Native States. Cola acuminata
has been cultivated for many years in Johore and Negri Sembilan,
and has fruited well in both places. There are, however, only a few
trees scattered about the Peninsula.
Brucea sumatrana, “Kosam,” was first obtained by Dr. WALUCH
in Singapore, where it still exists in a wild state, though very scarce
owing to the ground it inhabited being built on. It had practically
disappeared from the Colony when MuRTON reintroduced it from
Hongkong, in 1875, and I reintroduced it again from Pahang in
1890; since then, considerable attention has been called to it as a
drug for dysentery and a large number of plants were propagated
in the Botanic Gardens, and seeds distributed in 1901 to all the
District Officers in the Federated Malay States (although the plant
is quite common in*the Federated Malay States) and elsewhere, and
a quantity sent to India and other parts of the empire. Reports
of experiments made with it have already been published in the
Bulletin.
Ociinum viride, the “Mosquito-plant,” obtained a great noto-
riety in 1903 as a deterrent of Mosquitos in Central and West
Africa. The Botanic Gardens Department, having several valued
correspondents in Tropical Africa, had no difficulty in getting two
lots of seeds within a couple of months of the publication of the
supposed use of the plant. These were cultivated and seeds from
them were distributed to all parts of the Malay States and elsewhere
in six months.
The plant proved useless, but the rapidity with which the plant
was obtained, propagated and freely distributed all over the Penin-
sula illustrates the value of building up and keeping up an extensive
correspondence with all parts of the world. It is said that another
Botanic Garden, 1 s fortunately supplied with correspondents, only
obtained 12 seeds t m a dealer at a high price by the time that the
plant was being distributed in quantity all over the Peninsula.
Coca, Erythroxylon Coca and E. novo-granatense , was first in-
troduced by MuRTON in 1875, and several forms at a later date. It
grows with great ease and rapidity, and being very prolific is very
quickly propagated. It has been supplied to a large number of
estates in the Malay Peninsula, and is now scattered about every-
where. The demand for the leaf is small, however, and the plant is
so readily grown that it is seldom really remunerative.
Cinchona . — The Quinine trees were introduced by MURTON in 1878,
{< Cinchona officinalis ), (C. calisaya ) in 1879 as well as other species.
Sir Hugh Low also procured C. succirubra from India, and tried
it at the Hermitage, Waterloo Estate, and on Thaiping Hills. The
result, however, proved a failure. The plants grew to bushes, seeded
freely and on the Thaiping Hills became naturalized, but failed to
308
reach the stage suitable for supplying bark. I lately found also a
fair-sized tree pCesisting in the old Gunong Pulai Estate in Johore
which has been long abandoned.
RUBBER.
Para Rubber (. Hevea braziliensis ) . — An account of the introduction
of this plant to the Malay Peninsula was published in the Agri-
cultural Bulletin , Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States,
New Series, Vo!. II. p. 2. Mr. Collins, above mentioned, was the
first to obtain seeds in Brazil, which were shipped through Mr. CLE-
MENT Markam to Kew. The few that survived the journey were
sent from Kew to Calcutta, where they failed. The next lot, received
from Mr. WiCKHAM, went to Ceylon (1876) and 50 plants were sent
to Singapore, where by delay at the docks they perished ; next year
22 plants arrived safely at the Botanic Gardens, and Mr. MurtON
took 9 plants to Perak for Sir Hugh Low. Much later some more
seed was received from Ceylon and grown in the Botanic Gardens.
The plant seems never to have been successfully introduced again
from South America, and it may be said that a^l the Para Rubber
trees in the Malay Peninsula and indeed all in cultivation in Africa,
Asia and Australia are descendants of the seed introduced by Kew
through Wickham, and further more all the trees in the Malay
Peninsula, except such as have been lately introduced from Ceylon,
were derived from the Botanic Gardens of Singapore, which Depart-
ment has also supplied most, if not all, the plants cultivated in Africa,
Mauritius, Seychelles, Borneo, Sumatra, Java, Australia, New
Guinea, Polynesia, Hawaii, Mexico, Cochin-China and other coun-
tries.
Though there were a few estates in the Peninsula like Linsum and
Kamuning, which had Rubber plantations, no cultivation commerci-
ally was undertaken till 1896, when Mr. Tan ChAY Yan was induced
by the Director of the Botanic Gardens to plant Rubber, which he
commenced to do at Bukit Lintang, in Malacca, and later opened up
a much bigger estate at Bukit Asahan, said to be at present the big-
gest Rubber estate in the Peninsula. Other planters followed suit
in 1897, and the success proved so great that new estates are
being started every week.
There was no reason why this cultivation should not have been
started many years previously. Planters had been strongly advised
to turn their attention to this plant, seed was freely distributed from
the Botanic Gardens to any who would take it, and samples of
prepared Rubber from the Gardens, trees were shown at all Agricul-
tural Exhibitions, but attention was then entirely fixed on Coffee,
and an unfortunate error made by a Resident of Perak, caused not
only delay in the cultivation but destruction of some of the finest
trees in the Peninsula. Some Dyaks had been requested to ex-
tract Rubber from the Para trees, and not understanding the work
failed and declared that the trees were worthless. A number of
these trees which had been planted by Sir Hugh Low, at Kuala
Kangsa, were on this report destroyed, and no planters could be in-
duced to pay any more attention to it till 1896!
309
Castilloa elastica, the Panama Rubber, was introduced to the
Malay Peninsula by the Botanic Gardens of Singapore, in 1876.
The climate is, however, unsuited for this plant, and it usually falls
a victim to the attacks of the beetle {Epepseotes luscus).
Manihot Glasiovii , Ceara Rubber, was introduced also by the
Singapore Botanic Gardens, and plants were planted in Perak by
Mr. Murton, in 1876.
Mr. Murton did not believe in the suitability of the plant for
this climate, as prolonged wet destroyed it, and he pointed this out
in his Annual Report in 1878. In spite of this, a mania arose for
planting it some years later, with the expected result of its perish-
ing. Good trees, however, persist in many parts of the Peninsula and
in Borneo, but no one now would attempt it on a large scale. One
big tree in the Singapore Botanic Gardens fruits constantly and its
seqjls have been sent to many parts of the Peninsula and to other
parts of the Peninsula and to other parts of the world and the large
tree at Kuala Kangsa flourish still or did till quite lately but pro-
duces too little latex.
Hancornia speciosa , the “Mangabeira” Rubber of Pernambuco
was introduced by the Singapore Gardens in 1882. It perished
however, and attempts to procure it again have failed. It is appa-
rently a very troublesome plant, both seeds and plants travelling
badly. It is an inferior Rubber and is suited only for dry regions.
I have seen it on the sandy heaths of Pernambuco, where it grows
as a small tree like a birch.
M ascarenhaisia elastica was introduced by the Botanic Gardens,
being received from Kew in 1898. It grows steadily, but not very
fast except at first. It flowered early and fruited this year.
Kickxia ( Funtumia ) ajricana was introduced from Kew, by the
Singapore Gardens in 1897, and Kickxia elastica y the following year.
The latter has not proved much of a success in any part of the Pen-
insula, being much attacked by the caterpillar of Caprinia conchy-
lalis.
Landolphias, — A large number of the Rubber vines of Africa have
been introduced by the Botanic Gardens, Singapore, chiefly received
from Kew and the better class ones distributed to various parts of
the Peninsula, Borneo, etc.
Landolphia
Watsonii in ...
1881
Peter siana
1881
Kirkii
1881
»!
Florida
1882
Klainei
1900
>)
Senegalensis ...
i8 97
JJ
Owariensis
1897
»
sp. Trinidad ...
1898
Willoughbeias , etc., the Malayan Rubber vines, were brought into
cultivation by Murton, Cantley and myself and widely distributed
to all, who would try them* About a dozen kinds were cultivated
3io
at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, including Willoughbeia jirma ,
flavescens , Urccolas , several species, Chilocarpus and Melodinus.
Willoughbeia edulis was introduced from Assam, in 1898.
Gutta Percha , the native Dickopsis gut la, was brought into cul-
tivation in 1877, by Mr. MuRTON, who collected a quantity of plants
in Perak and elsewhere. There were, however, several old trees in
the Botanic Gardens' jungle which still persist.
Dickopsis krantziana , of Saigon, was introduced in 1898 and Di-
chopsis calophylla , from Sumatra in 1898.
Payena Leerii , the tree “ Gutta Sundik,” from Sumatra, was in-
troduced in 1898 and the local species distinguished from P. Leerii
by Pi ERR was brought to the Gardens some time before. Balata
(Mimusops globosa) was introduced first in 1885. The trees have
made but a poor growth for their age.
Sago.
The orginal home of the Sago palms is probably in the Moluccas.
Its cultivation is recorded from “ Fanfur ” apparently some part of
Sumatra and probably Kampar by MARCO Polo, in 1298. The in-
vention of converting the flour into Pearl Sago, was made by the
Chinese about 1815. It is not clear when the plant was introduced
into the Malay Peninsula, but probably very early in Malacca.
Koenig saw it there in 1779, LlNSCHOTEN in 1583, does not men-
tion it in the East Indies, but the early voyagers were more inter-
ested in drugs and spices than in local foodstuffs and so perhaps
does not notice it.
Owing to its requiring low swamps for its cultivation, it is seldom
to be seen in large areas, but rather in patches. It is scattered thus
all over the Peninsula, and forms an Important article of export.
Tapioca.
The Tapioca-plant seems to have been introduced early, but at
what date I cannot determine. It is not mentioned by LlNSCHOTEN
(1583) or Koenig (1779), but the first record of n I have is in 1848
where it is mentioned as cultivated for food only by Little and
BALESTlER (Logan’s Journal), together with sweet potatoes and
Colocasia antiquorum. It appears to have been first cultivated on a
big scale for making Tapioca-flour, in Malacca, about 50 years ago
by the VELGE family, and has continued in cultivation there ever
since.
Mr. CANTLEY introduced, about 1886, a number of South Ameri-
can varieties which were distributed to various growers, as well as
to the Malacca Gardens.
Sugar.
Sugar appears to have been cultivated very early in Province
Wellesley. It is said indeed that there were Chinese plantations
there before the colonization of Penang. Sugar was exported from
3 11
Penang in 1805, but this seems to have been mainly Batavia Sugar.
The date at which sugar was introduced into the Malay Peninsula
is lost in antiquity, but probably not later than the first occupation
by the Portuguese.
Many varieties were introduced by the Botanic Gardens in Singa-
pore. Murton introduced 20 varieties in 1878 and more next year
and distributed cuttings to Province Wellesley, Perak, Kedah and
other parts of the Peninsula ; CANTLEY introduced 44 varieties in
1883 and 56 about 1888 and other varieties were introduced from
time to time ; CURTIS, in 1898, raised a quantity of cane from seed
and distributed it to Province Wellesley and Perak.
The chief cultivation for Sugar-making has always been in Pro-
vince Wellesley and Lower Perak, but eating cane is cultivated
everywhere.
Fibres.
A great deal of work connected with plants possessing com-
mercially useful Fibres was done at the Botanic Gardens, not only
by introduction of useful plants but by experimenting with them.
Among the plants of this group introduced by the Botanic Gardens
are ; —
1879
1882
1897
1876
1876
1881 & later
1879
1879
1879
1904
1879
'893
1893
Cotton was introduced much earlier and a history of its cultiva-
. tion has already appeared in the Bulletin , but many, in fact most of
the known strains, were obtained, cultivated and distributed to
different parts of the Peninsula from the Botanic Gardens.
Fodder Grasses.
A great many fodder plants were introduced and experimented
with at different times, including Teosinte {Euchlcena luxuriant) 1879.
Panicun spectabile from Kew, 1880, Guinea grass 1876, and others,
Vegetables.
Most of the vegetables regularly cultivated are of native origin.
English vegetables were introduced many years ago by Dr. Oxley
and later by Murton, and vegetable seed was also introduced on
very many occasions later by the Botanic Gardens' Directors, The
Green Aloes.
Raphia Fibre.
Manila Hemp.
Agaves various
Sanseviera
S.
S.
and many other
Cuba bast
Urera tenax
Musa Mafaccensis
Fourcroya longceva
F. gig ant ea
F. macrophylla
Raphia Ruffia
Musa textilis
zeylanica
guineensis
cylindrica
species till
Paritium elatum
312
Cho-cho, Sechun edule, was reintroduced by the Penang Garden in
1886, Water cress also in 1883, True Lima beans, 1884, and Arti-
chokes, Tomatos (various strains), Capsicums of various kinds, and
many other vegetables were introduced from India and Italy and
distributed from the Botanic Gardens.
Bamboos.
In 1 886, Mr. Cantley noticed the absence of serviceable bam-
boos in Singapore and introduced among others Dendrocalamus
strict us, the male bamboo, D. giganteus , Bambusa vulgaris , var.
The few native bamboos here, Schizostackyum , two or three and
Bambusa Ridley i are of little value. Dendrocalamus , flagellifer so
much cultivated for its edible shoots and Gigantochloa sp. the
shoots of which are also eaten, may have been introduced from Java
by the natives, but as both of these are serviceable bamboos, it is
probable that they were not in the country in 1886. Since that
time, there has been no lack of ornamental bamboos, and many
were sent to different parts of the Malay States, which are very
poor in useful bamboos.
Timber Trees.
A large number were introduced by the Botanic Gardens including
Teak, Mahogany (both kinds), Carapa Guianensis , Hymencea Cour-
baril, Eucalypti, many species, Brazil iron wood, Kauri pine (1879).
Fruits.
The following fruits were in cultivation before 1875 : —
Banana
Durian
Rambutan
Mangosteen
Duku
Pineapples
Jambu bol
Champedak (1848)
Jack Fruit (1850) THOMSON
in Logan’s Journal, IV.
Orange (1850)
Bachang „
Eugenia aquea ,,
Bilimbings (1850)
Pulasan ,,
Rambei ,,
Namnam ,,
Pumelo „
Rukam 1}
Chiko „
Papaya
Pomegranate „
Anona squamosa
A. muricata
A. reticulata
Tamarind
All the rest seem to have been introduced later and where not
otherwise stated were introduced by the Botanic Gardens, Singapore.
The Durian is first recorded from Malacca by Garcia da Orta
and LlNSCHOTEN, in 1583. Its place of origin is doubtful. I cer-
tainly do not think it is a native of the Peninsula as I have never
seen it wild anywhere. There are, however, a number of species of
the genus wild in the Peninsula and the adjacent islands. It is
mentioned as occurring in Sumatra in Chinese literature of the date
of 1416, (Groenevelot verhandlingen van het genootschep en We-
tenschappen XXXIX).
313
The Mangosteen is also not wild so far as I have seen in the
Peninsula, but is described by the earlier travellers from 1416. I
believe it has never been found in a wild state anywhere. But
like Durians there are wild species.
The Rambutan is probably a native of the Peninsula.
The following fruits also occur in a wild state in the Peninsula: —
Kechapi (Sandoricum radiatum), Bachang (Mangifera fcetida),
and Binjai (M, caesia), Champedak (Arto carpus polyphemia), the
wild form of w r hich contains a much smaller amount of pulp in pro-
portion to the number and size of the seeds, shewing that the Malay
cultivators have improved this fruit by careful selection, Rukam,
(Flacourtia Rukam). 1 am doubtful, however, about the Flacourtia
Cataphracta , the most popular of this genus, as I have never seen
it wild, the Rouminiya Bonea microphylla , and possibly B. macro -
phylla , the Langsat, Lansium domesticum , of which the Duku is
a cultivated and improved form probably originating in Java. The
first mention of the Pulasan I can find is in Newbold (1839), who
also mentions the Rambei (Baccaurea motley ana). I am doubtful as
to either of these plants being indigenous to the Peninsula, but they
are certainly natives of the Malay region and were probably brought
from Java or Borneo by natives much earlier than this.
Pineapple . — Of strictly exotic fruits, the first to mention is the
Pineapple. This is first mentioned as occurring in the East by
LlNSCHOTEN in 1583, as quoted above. He does not directly men-
tion its occurrence at the time in Malacca, but it was doubtless
there about that time ; very easily grown and carried about, it reached
the other parts of the Peninsula as soon as they were colonised.
At first grown for its fruits only for local consumption, the Chinese
in Singapore, in about 1870 started working the fibre from the
leaves, but as apparently this became insufficiently remunerative,
this manufacture dwindled till in 1888 only a few Bugis in Singa-
pore 'were left, who extracted the fibre and these men ceased the
manufacture soon after. The Bugis also in the early days used to
make an intoxicating drink from the Pineapples, but only for local
consumption.
Pineapple cultivation then decreased till some European firms
commenced the canning industry, but there was no great develop-
ment of this till about 1890, when the Chinese commenced the
business. Then, there began a great demand for Pineapples owing
to the starting of many Chinese factories. At first, the canning houses
increased so fast that many failed from lack of sufficient pines, but
pine cultivation quickly took the place of the dying Pepper and
Gambier industries, and later supplanted to a large extent the Indigo
cultivation. Large areas of land formerly under these latter culti-
vations, which have been abandoned and left a weary waste of
lalang and secondary scrub were now put under Pineapples, and
what w'as less satisfactory most of the remaining bits of forest near
Singapore were destroyed for this cultivation. The Canning indus-
try increased rapidly to the present day. The European firms,
t/lkS
3i4
however, have almost, if not entirely, dropped out of the business
which is entirely in the hands of the Chinese. Outside the island
very little canning is done, though there are a few small factories
in Penang and elsewhere. The pines used for canning are of poor
eating varieties, but serve their purpose for preserving very well.
Many good table pines have, however, been introduced by the
Botanic Gardens of Penang and Singapore, among which may be
mentioned the Mauritius pine; Black West Indian {1893), Aba caxi
( i ^ 93 )j Windsor (1893), Guatemala spineless; Harvey’s Mexican and
the Elvaston pine, Red Spanish, Green Ripley, Red Ripley, Ruby
pine from Jamaica and others at various dates.
The Papaya . — This South American fruit was cultivated in Ma-
lacca as early as 1583 (LiNSCHOTEN) having been introduced from
America by way of Manilla, by the Portuguese ; several varieties of
more or less value have been lately introduced by the Botanic
Gardens of Singapore. The Papayas of Singapore are considered
by connoisseurs to be the finest in the world.
The mountain Papaya ( Carica Cundinamarcensis ) has several
times been introduced by the Botanic Gardens, and attempts have
been made to grow it on our hills in Perak and elsewhere, but it
has always failed, the altitudes being apparently nbt great enough.
Bananas are recorded as cultivated in the Malay Peninsula as
early as 1416 (Chinese Literature), and were probably under cultiva-
tion at a very much earlier date, as I have very little doubt that the
wild plantain of the Peninsula forests, known as Pisang Karok
{Musa Malaccensis ), is the parent of a number of the varieties of
cultivated plantains. A great number of named varieties have been
cultivated in the Botanic Gardens, derived from many different parts
of the world and are often in request and distributed. The fruit of
the wild form above mentioned is yellov: and full of hard seeds.
In size, coloring and shape it resembles the fine cultivated variety
known as Pisang Mas, but that is stoneless and very highly flavoured.
A Banana, with abortive seeds in it, Pisang Batu, is often cultivated
by the Malays. West Indian cooking Plantain were introduced by
the Botanic Gardens, in 1893.
Oranges were cultivated in Singapore, in 1850 (THOMSON in Lo-
gans^s Journal Vol. IV), and probably earlier; many varieties were
obtained later. Cantley introduced a number of Australian kinds
in 1 88 r, some of which were sent to Perak, and good strains were
introduced by the Botanic Gardens, from India, Florida and Malta
and other places. Orange cultivation is, however, unsuited for the
greater part of the Peninsula, though good samples are usually
shown at the Agricultural Shows. The soil of the country and es-
pecially the dampness of thfe climate are against the cultivation.
They do better in Malacca where it is drier, and on an alluvial
flat at Kuala Kangsar, at the mouth of the Kangsar River in Perak,
the oranges are excellent, but most of the West Coast of the Penin-
sula has failed to produce good Oranges or Lemons.
315
Pumelos were also cultivated very early, before 1850. The Ball
pumelo, one of the best varieties, was introduced by Sir HUGH HOW,
and later again by the Botanic Gardens, Singapore.
Limes of many varieties have been in cultivation for many years
probably many centuries, and other good and distinct varieties were
introduced by the Botanic Gardens, Singapore, and Sir Hugh Low
introduced a fine lemon-shaped form, about 1878, which is still cul-
tivated at Kuala Kangsar and at Kamumng Estate. No attempt has
been made in the Straits to prepare lime juice or citric acid from
the fruit as is done in the W. Indies. And though a most important
fruit in tropical regions, its cultivation for local consumption has been
much neglected in the Federated Malay States,
Lemons, from Malta, were introduced by the Botanic Gardens in
1888, fruited in 1889 in Singapore, Malacca and Penang, but the
climate hardly agreed with the plant, and they died out not long after-
wards.
The Jamaica Grape fruit was introduced by Mr. R. DERRY in
1900, but appears not to be sufficiently advanced for distribution.
It was planted at Kwaia Kangsar.
Brazil-nut, Bertholletia excelsa, introduced into the Botanic Gardens
Singapore, in 1881, fruited first, 1902, and continues to fruit each year.
Otaheite Chestnut , Inocarpus edulis, introduced in 1876, fruits
regularly.
Litchi, Nephelium Litchi, introduced in 1879 by MURTON. There
are big trees in Singapore, but it has never flowered here.
Butter-nut ( Caryocar nutiferum ), introduced by the Botanic Gar-
dens, 1898, has not yet fruited.
Mamme apple, Mammea Americana, introduced, 1886, has never
fruited.
Vanguiera edulis , introduced, 1889, regularly fruited, but the fruit
has no charms except for natives.
Spondias mangifera , introduced 1882.
Avocado Pear , by MURTON, 1877, have often fruited, the latter
well.
Loquat, (. Eriohotryajaponica ), introduced by CANTLEY, commonly
flowered, but never set fruit.
Apples,— An attempt was made in 1885 to cultivate several of the
European fruits on the Penang Hills, where a small garden was
formed for these plants ; among them apples were introduced and
fruited scantily in 1886 and later. The fruit was of good quality.
Olives were introduced at the same time, but though the trees
grew to a good size, never fruited.
Peaches , introduced 1885, fruited, 1886, and Mr. CANTLEY expres-
sed a hope that, in a few years, these fruit would be commonly sold
in the markets, a hope destined to disappointment.
3i6
Figs, introduced, 1886 and t888, have made but slow growth, but
flavourless^ fr0m time t0 timG giving fa * rIy & oocl fruitj but rather
Grapes. The vine was probably introduced in Portuguese times,
and frequently since. It has never been really successful, though
grapes, of the style known as sweet-water, were fruited formerly in
omgapore on one or two vines.
grmvth 11 ^ 7 rain St ° rmS ° f tHe PeninsuIa militate much against its
The Saigon Vine, V itis martini , was introduced in 1888 It
grows well and fruits heavily, but the grapes are poor, and hardly
eatable. An attempt was made to make wine of it in French Indo-
Uiina, but the verdict of the connoisseurs was that the wine was
detestable.
, •T'j 6 . Blac kberry, Rubus fruticosus , was introduced in 1801, and
failed to fruit, though it grew well at first. Mr. Curtis introduced
to Penang Hill an Indian species with black fruit, which did very
^ ve . ’ j° r so ? ie y ears J an d also the Rubus rosa? folius> an orange
fruited species from the hills of the Peninsula, which has several
times been in cultivation in Singapore. Another Rubus from
Uganda said to bear good fruit was introduced into Singapore
■+u n ,u m . I9 ° 4 ' U has not fruited 7^. The trouble
with these Blackberries consists in the difficulty of preserving the
fruits from the attacks of birds which plunder the bushes.
Mangos.— Many good strains were introduced from all parts of
the world and distributed, the local strains being very poor.
Barbados cherry (i. 38 ), Eugenia uffiflora, E. braziliensis and E
Pitanga— The tree tomato ( Cyphomandra betacca, which fruits well
on the Perak Hills, and many other small fruits were introduced also
by the Botanic Gardens, Singapore.
From the above account of the introduction of the various plants
most common^ cultwated in the Malay Penin a, it will be seen
that the statement that most important plants have been introduced
by private persons is altogether erroneous. The plants of common
mrtfof tiie'M T" ’p ‘T’ f ° f Und t ' leir wa F into the uncultivated
parts of the Malay Peninsula, often, hundreds of years ago, but by
I “ d of'V qmt f U " k r Wn ' M an * P erha P s - ™me quite acci-
dentally. Of the rest of the important exotics, nearly every one
was introduced, cultivated, propagated and dispersed^ to various
patts of the Peninsula by the Botanic Gardens of Singapore and
Penang. These Gardens were maintained out of Colonial funds
p n in’f bU ll T it” C - ear V —. 6arly ? hat L ' Mala >' States would
eventually be the main agri aural district of the Peninsula, these
States, as they were gradually developed, were assisted by the
supply of plants, and information to the fullest possible extent, by
the Colonial Gardens at no cost to the Government of the Malay
Sir Hugh LOW, whose various Gardens in Perak were supplied
mainly with plants from the Botanic Gardens in Singapore attempt-
ed to develop agriculture in Perak, but his work was practically
abandoned after he left the country and little was done for Agricul-
ture in the Federated Malay States except by the Colonial Gardens,
till the present year, and indeed at present the Malay States are
still utilizing the resources of the Colonial Gardens.
It can thus be seen what a large debt the agriculturists of the
Malay States owe to the Botanic Gardens of Singapore and Penang
for the work done for the last thirty years. Debts are easily for-
gotten, and the names even of the founders of agriculture in the
Peninsula are perhaps hardly known to the planters who are reap-
ing the benefit of their labours, among whom should be remembered
Christopher Smith, to whom we owe the Nutmegs and Cloves of
Penang. A. J. MURTON, the introducer of Para rubber and Li-
berian Coffee, and many other useful plants, and N. Cantley, who
opened up the Economic Gardens in Singapore, whence so many
thousands of plants and seeds have since been distributed over the
Malay Peninsula.
H. N. RIDLEY.
FORESTRY IN THE MALAY PENINSULA
IN 1904,
The following notes extracted from the annual report from the
Forest Department for last year may be of interest to our readers.
Under the heading “Natural Reproduction” ’ Mr. BURN-MURDOCH
writes : —
In Selangor, Merbau seeded plentifully during the year and
thousands of seedlings were observed in the Ulu Langat district ;
Penak also seeded well both here and in the Kwala Pilah district of
Negri Sembilan.
A few Gutta-percha seeds, ( Palaquium oblongifolium ) , were ob-
tained from Mr. Harper, some of whose coolies came across fruiting
trees in the remote jungles. The natural regeneration of Palaquium
is very good. The Dipterocarp family fruited well generally,
especially in Negri Sembilan, and large quantities of Penak, (Bala-
nocarpus), seed were collected. The following were noted to have
fruited : —
Balanocarpus maximus ... June to August.
Kumus (Shorea ciliata) ... October.
Meranti and Serayahs
Shoreas of various species
and Hopea • • • July to August.
S. Acuminata
S. Oprosula
3*8
Menyak Keruing, Dipterocarpus crinitus and Hasseltii .
Calophyllum spectabile ... August to September.
Petaling Ochanostachys
Amentacea ... July to September.
Tembusu, Fagroea fragrans ... November
Merbau, Afzelia paJembanica
Palaquium was not observed to fruit in Negri Sembilan.
It is interesting to note that in the forests near Tertang, Jelebu,
the various ages or girth classes of Penak and Merbau are well
represented, quite in contrast to parts of Pahang and Kwala Pilah
where there are but few poles and saplings.
Both Merbau and Chengal seeded well in Pahang, but seedlings
are reported as scarce in a more advanced age. Resak (Shorea
barbata) in the Temerloh district and Giam in the Rompin district
have reproduced themselves satisfactorily, and seedlings of both
species were seen thriving. The reproduction of shoreas was good.
REGISTER OF RAINFALL AT NEGRI
SEMBILAN HOSPITALS, FOR JUNE, 1905.
Date.
Seremban.
K. Pilah.
Tam}.
>in.
jelebu.
Port
Dickson.
Mantin.
In.
tri
O
T 3
In.
dcs.
In.
dcs.
In.
dcs.
In.
dcs.
In.
dcs.
1
85
22
02
,2
06
...
20
31
10
3
...
...
...
...
...
17
4
...
...
12
...
...
14
...
18
5
...
22
...
06
...
...
80
...
...
52
6
...
...
...
...
05
...
...
7
...
18
...
...
...
...
...
17
8
...
II
...
...
...
...
9
...
...
...
...
...
...
; .--v
...
02
10
...
...
...
...
...
...
06
11
...
23
...
...
38
...
05
...
13
12
...
...
...
02
...
...
...
...
...
13
12
...
40
...
...
...
47
1
05
14
...
02
...
...
40
...
42
27
IS
...
...
...
...
...
...
04
...
16
...
...
... j
...
...
...
...
...
17
...
45
..
06
...
...
87
18
...
...
45
...
83
...
...
19
...
...
...
...
...
1
29
20
1
11
...
40
24
...
05
...
...
...
14
21
10
2
24
...
...
...
1
85
11
22
2
35
...
10
...
...
38
...
1
29
23
...
...
1
77
...
...
...
24
...
...
16
...
07
...
88
...
...
25
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
26
...
...
...
• • •
...
...
06
...
27
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
13
28
...
...
...
...
...
...
88
...
...
...
27
29
...
...
...
I
15 ;
...
20
...
...
...
14
3 °
...
...
01
...
44
03
Total
s
78
3
16
2
76
5
56
6
34
5
44
State Surgeon's Office, Seremban, R. VAN GEYZEL,
13th July, I go 5 • Apothecary .
320
SINGAPORE MARKET REPORT.
July, 1905.
Articles.
Quantity
sold.
Highest
price.
/
Lowest
price.
Coffee — Palembang
Tons.
i
Bali -
...
21.62 k
21.00
Liberian
147
23-50
22.50
Copra
- 6,081
7.90
7.10
Gambier -
1 *
2,549
9.00
8.65
Cube Gambier, Nos. i & 2
22 5
I2 -75
12.00
Gutta Percha, 1st quality -
1
300.00
1 50.00
Medium
...
200.00
90.00
Lower
...
80.00
12.00
Borneo Rubber 1, 2, and 3
140.00
90.00
Gutta Jelutong
7 - 37 i
7.12k
Nutmegs, No. no's -
...
38.00
37.00
No. So’s - -
60.50
58.00
Mace, Banda -1
...
85.OO
73.00
Amboyna
...
57-00
55.00
Pepper, Black -
990
29.00
27.30
White (Sarawak)-
461
39 - 37 ^
38.25
Pearl Sago, Small
4- 2 5
3.80
Medium
...
4.50
4.50
Large
...
5 - 5 °
5.50
Sago Flour, No. 1
3.780
3 - 02 ^
3 - 22 i
No. 2
535
.90
.80
Flake Tapioca, Small
466
5-25
4-65
Medium
20
...
Pearl Tapioca, Small
590
4.90
4.60
Medium
55 i
5-30
4.80
Bullet -
50
6.25
5-75
Tin - -
2,640
88.00
81.25
321
Export Telegram to Europe and America.
Fortnight ending igth July, iQOg.
Wired at 5 p.m. on 17th July, 1905.
Tin
Str.
Singapore and Penang to United Kingdom &/or
Tons.
1,168
Do.
»>
Do.
U. S. A.
43°
Do.
Do.
Continent
445
Gambier
Singapore
Glasgow
...
Do.
1)
Do.
London
...
Do.
fj
Do.
Liverpool
225
Do.
ff
Do.
U. K. &/or Continent
...
Cube Gambier
})
Do.
United Kingdom
60
Black Pepper
))
Do.
Do.
5
Do.
U
Penang
Do.
...
White Pepper
Singapore
Do.
30
Do.
Penang
Do.
10
Pearl Sago
jj
Singapore
Do.
35
Sago Flour
Do.
London
...
Do.
Do.
Liverpool
1,200
Do.
Do.
Glasgow
100
Tapioca Flake
J f
Singapore & Penang
United Kingdom
240
T. Pearl & Bullets
»
Do.
Do.
300
Tapioca Flour
„
Penang
Do.
5o
Gutta Perch a
ft
Singapore
Do.
10
Buffalo Hides
Do.
Do.
60
Pineapples
,,
Do.
Do. cases
58,000
Gambier
w
Do.
U. S. A.
500
Cube Gambier
Do.
Do.
...
Black Pepper
*»
Do.
Do.
220
Do.
#>
Penang
Do.
100
White Pepper
)»
Singapore
Do.
20
Do.
Penang
Do.
...
T. Flake & Pearl
Singapore & Penang
Do.
170
Nutmegs
>>
Do.
Do.
10
Sago Flour
„
Singapore
Do.
250
Pineapples
ft
Singapore
Do. cases 1,750
Do.
ff
Do.
Continent „
4,5oo
Gambier
Do.
S. Continent
50
Do.
n
Do.
N. Continent
490
Cube Gambier
n
Do.
Continent
55
Black Pepper
Do.
S. Continent
15
Do.'
}}
Do.
N. Continent
160
Do.
)>
Penang
S. Continent
...
Do.
„
£)o.
N. Continent
*«*
White Pepper
tf
Singapore
S. Continent
Do.
J)
Do.
N. Continent
35
Do.
V
Penang
S. Continent
Do.
)>
Do.
N. Continent
...
Copra
jf
Singapore & Penang
Marseilles
860
Do.
)t
Do.
Odessa
...
Do.
}>
Do.
Other South Continent
100
Do.
Ji
Do.
N. Continent
2,200
Sago Flour
t)
Do.
Continent
750
Tapioca Flake
ft
Singapore & Penang
Do.
70
Do. Pearl
ft
Do.
Do.
310
322
Tons.
Copra
Str. Singapore
England
So
Gambier
1J
Do.
U. S. A.
Cube Gambier
Do.
Do.
T. Flake and Pearl
f)
Do.
Do.
Sago Flour
)>
Do.
Do.
...
Gambier
I!
Do.
S. Continent
...
Copra
Do.
Marseilles
Black Pepper
Do.
S. Continent
White Pepper
Do.
Do.
...
Bo,
Do.
U. S. A.
...
Pineapples
tf
Do.
Do.
Nutmegs
)•
Do.
Do.
Black Pepper
it
Do.
Do.
...
Do,
1*
Penang
Do.
White Pepper
1
Do.
Do.
T. Flake & Pearl
Do.
Do.
Nutmegs
I)
Do.
Do.
1,200 tons Gambier \
480 r , Black Pepper j
Contracts.
Export Telegram to Europe and America,
Fortnight ending 31st July, igo$ t
Wired at 2.45 p.m. on
2nd August, 1905.
-
Tons.
Tin
Str.
Singapore & Penang to United Kingdom &/or
1,050
Do.
„
Do.
U. S. A.
690
Do.
n
Do.
Continent
375
Gambier
Singapore
Glasgow
...
Do.
if
Do.
London
25
Do.
Do.
Liverpool
...
Do.
Do.
U. K. &/ or Continent
225
Cube Gambier
n
Do.
United Kingdom
25
Black Pepper
,,
Do.
Do.
10
Do.
Penang
Do.
30
White Pepper
„
Singapore
Do.
40
Do.
if
Penang
Do.
Pearl Sago
>»
Singapore
Do.
IS
Sago Flour
>>
Do.
I ondon
420
Do.
Do.
Liverpool
Do.
Do.
Glasgow
125
Tapioca Flake
&
Singapore & Penang
United Kingdom
200
T. Pearl & Bullets
ft
Do.
Do.
230
Tapioca Flour
)f
Penang
Do.
525
Gutta Percha
„
Singapore
Do.
30
Buffalo Hides
Do.
Do.
15
Pineapples
>>
Do.
Do, cases
6,500
Gambier
Do.
U. S. A.
525
Cube Gambier
n
Do.
Do.
10
Black Pepper
ff
Do.
Do.
290
Do.
jj
Penang
Do.
20
White Pepper
„
Singapore
Do.
IO
Do.
>
Penang
Do.
IO
T. Flake & Pearl
Singapore & Penang
Do.
65
Nutmegs
>t
Do.
Do.
19
Sago Flour
„
Singapore
Do.
125
323
Pineafpples
Str.
Singapore
U. S. A.
Tons,
cases 1,750
Do.
Do.
Continent
„ 2,750
Gambier
»)
Dc.
S. Continent
85
Do.
*j
Do.
N. Continent
220
Cube Gambier
w
Do.
Continent
70
Black Pepper
n
Do.
S. Continent
210
Do.
jj
Do.
N. Continent
60
Do.
Penang
S. Continent
20
Do.
Do.
N. Continent
...
White Pepper
»»
Singapore
S. Continent
30
Do.
,,
Do.
N. Continent
95
Do.
,,
Penang
S. Continent
20
Do.
n
Do.
N. Continent
10
Copra
Singapore & Penang
Marseilles
150
Do.
»>
Do.
Odessa
840
Do.
H
Do.
Other S. Continent
1,000
Do.
n
Do.
N. Continent
150
Sago Flour
,,
Do.
Continent
650
Tapioca Flake
„
Singapore & Penang
Do.
45
Do. Pearl
* »
Do.
Do.
170
Copra
J#
Singapore
England
Gambier
n
Singapore
U. S. A.
...
Cube Gambier
*i
Do.
Do.
T. Flake & Pearl
jj
Do.
Do.
Sago Flour
fi
Do.
Do.
...
Gambier
,,
Do.
S. Continent
Copra
j »
Do.
Marseilles
Black Pepper
Do.
S. Continent
...
White Pepper
j j
Do.
Do.
Do.
it
Do.
U. S. A.
• ••
Pineapples
Do.
Do.
Nutmegs
Do.
Do.
Black Pepper
j>
Do.
Do.
Do.
j j
Penang
Do.
...
White Pepper
D
Do.
Do.
T. Flake & Pearl
If
Do.
Do.
Nutmegs
JJ
Do.
Do
. . »
l,ooo tons Gambier 1 ~ ,
180 „ Black Pepper } ContraClS ’
I
tir>o
Singapore,
Abstract of Meteorological Readings for the month of July, ,
9 ° 5 -
District.
Kandang Kerbau Hospital Observatory .
Kandang Kerbau Hospital Observatory,
Singapore , 14th August, 1905 .
$ ta
3
Ins.
29-891
.£
S
s
£
°F.
140-5
Temperature.
PQ
b
P
°F.
81*6
°F.
89-5
Hygrometer.
°F.
74‘4
°F,
iS'i
°F.
78- 1
Ins.
•885
A. B. LEICESTER,
Meteorological Observe
&
°F
75'8
Q
78
S.S.E.
Ins.
677
Ins.
2 '93
Oi
w
4^
D, K. McDowell,
P ncipal Civil Medical Officer, S. S .
Penang.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings in the Prison Observatory for the month of July , i 9 og.
District.
Criminal Prison Observatory ...
aJ
<D
u
G
t n
c n
<u
u
CL
'G
a;
S
s 4
rt rt
CQ fa
<S CO
Ins.
29*874
c
G
m
Temperature.
°F
I45'S
£
CQ
Ui
Q
c
rf
<u
8o'4
S
s
‘S
cj
s
°F
897
°F
74-1
<u
bo
c
<2
Hygrometer.
£
CQ
°F
15-6
4)
H
3
o
a,
aJ
>
°F
75’5
G
‘5
CL
°F
788
°F
7075
TJ
S
G
X
71
T3
G
Q
be
G
"rf
>
<U
u,
fa
S.
aJ
C
*c3
C4
o
Ins. I Ins.
7-50 : 2-86
Colonial Surgeon’s Office,
Penang , 8th August, 1905.
M. E. SCRIVEN,
Assistant Surgeon .
S. LUCY,
Acting Colonial Surgeon , Penang.
Greatest Rainfall during 24 hours.
Malacca.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings for the month of July, 1905.
District.
Mean Barometrical Pressure at
32 0 Fab.
Maximum in Sun.
Temperature.
Hygrometer.
Prevailing Direction of Winds.
Total Rainfall.
Greatest Rainfall during 24
hours.
1
I Mean Dry Bulb,
Maximum.
Minimum.
f Range.
Mean Wet Bulb.
Vapour Tension.
Dew Point.
Humidity.
Durian Daun Hospital
29795
154-0
82-2
88*6
747
13-9
79*9
1*000
71-4
90
S.W.
i
11-27
2-31
Colonial Surgeon’s Office,
Malacca , / 8th August, 1905.
F. B. CROUCHER,
Colonial Surgeon, Malacca.
Perak.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings in the various Districts of the State for the month of July, 1905.
District.
Mean Barometrical
Pressure at 32 0 Fah.
Maximum in Sun.
Temperature.
Hygrometer.
Prevailing Direction of
Winds.
Total Rainfall.
Greatest Rainfall during
24 hours.
Mean Dry Bulb
Maximum,
8
3
E
e
S
Range. |
Mean Wet Bulb.,
Vapour Tension.;
Dew Point.
J->
'S
's
3
1 X 1
Taiping
• • •
152
82’98
93
70
23
77-36
864
77
9-02
2*70
Kuala Kangsar
...
...
8079
93
70
23
76-13
840
80
5' ’64
r8o
Batii Gajab
155
Si*i6
92
70
22
76*81
866
81
4*00
1*37
Gopeng
...
81-15
93
61
32
76-13
834
78
4-76
1*21
Ipoh
•*
S °- 3 7
92
70
22
75 ‘94
840
80
4*45
ri2
Kampar
...
. . .
. * ,
70
, „ - m
...
4-41
1-27
Teluk Anson
...
81-95
9 1
70
21
77-18
87 1
80
2-96
1*18
Tapah
Sl- 37
90
69
21
76-41
843
78
578
2-24
Parit Buntar
...
...
8 3 ' 3 °
94
65
29
77-52
868
76
1-52
*97
Bagan Serai
...
...
82-65
92
69
23
77 ' 5 r
876
79
3 '48
172
Selarna
!
...
82 '35
9 i
7 1
20
77*57
883
80
3 ‘ 3 «
•68
State Surgeon's Office, M. J. WRIGHT,
Taiping, 12th August , 1 905. State Surgeon .
Selangor.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings in the various Districts of the State for the month of July, 1905.
District.
General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur
Pudoh Gaol Hospital ,,
District Hospital )t
Klang
Kuala Langat
Kajang
Kuala Selangor
Kuala Kubu
Serendah
„ Rawang ...
Beri-beri Hospital, Jeram
Sabah Bernam
State Surgeon’s Office,
Kuala Lumpur , 12th August, igos .
er «
a «
I,—. 1-1
29
884 149
79
:
Sc
89-4
88-4
88- 3
89 - s
92*0
90- 9
93'2
70’6
7°'9
740
71-6
71-8
74-7
68-5
Temperature.
18-8
J 7‘5
I 4’3
18-2
2 0*2
162
247
76-2
Hygrometer.
c §
>
0-830
&
&
<D
D
73-6
B
3
X
81
Prevailing Direction
of Winds.
! Total Rainfall.
Greatest Rainfall
during. 24 hours.
Calm.
603
i‘o8
...
3*i 7
0-67
7*04
°'97
809
2-28
473
1*15
6*ii
2‘00
6-78
r88
8-67
2*53
1 no
2'22
5*43
1-85
5-00
I - 3 8
3-96
1*00
E. A. O. TRAVERS,
State Surgeon, Selangor .
Ui
tsl
00
Muar
A bstract of Meteorological Readings for the month of July, 1905.
Muar, 12th August, 190 5.
ROGER PEARS.
The Duff Development Company, Limited, Kelantan.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings for the month of July, 1905.
Surgeon's Office,
f ffih August , sgog
District.
Temperature.
Rainfall.
Maximum.
Minimum.
Range.
Total Rainfall.
Greatest Rainfall dur-
ing 24 hours.
V
/
- f
+
Mean.
°F
Mean.
°F
Mean.
°F
Inches.
Inches.
Kuala Lebir
88-8
7 i-o
17-0
4 T 8
•8 q
UIu Liang
88*4
70-4
18*0
7'06
y
V 2 Q
(Kuala Kelantan
86- s
73’4
i 3 ‘i
5*32
1-90
OJ
OJ
O
X
JOHN D. GIMLETTE,
Surgeon.
33 ?
METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.
Table Showing the Daily Results of the Reading of Meteorological Observations taken
at the General Hospital, Seremban, for the Month of June, IS 05.
Temperature of radiation.
Temperature of
radiation.
Wind.
Temperature
of evaporation.
Computed
vapour tension.
Relative
humidity.
Clouds 0 to 10.
Cloud
and weather
direction.
Rain
0)
-
Direction.
§ 6
'S —
Date.
a
0.2
(
*9
15
P
S
3
0 5
g
O *3
G ri
9
15
9
15
9
15
9
i 5
9
15
21
9
15
21
H
H
c
u
<u
s
s
rt
a
■a
0)
be
c
' a
S 3 -o
£ g
(A
ifc G
H
H
H
H
s
1
0)
H
H
G
C 6
O
H
H
c
rt
OS
H
H
H
H
H
H
<L>
s
s
2
cS
C /3
Q
O
5 *
2
s
s
G
O
O
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
O
0
in.
in.
in.
0
0
i
79
79
79
89
71
18
157
68
S.E.
S.E.
73*9
75*6
74 *
0-839
0888
0-863
85
90
87*5
0
10
5
B
R
C
.85
2 •
80
82
81
89
75
14
156
67
S.E.
S.E.
766
75*3
75*9
•916
■877
•896
90
80
85
3
5
5
C
R
C
.06
3
81
87
84
87
72
15
136
49
N.E.
S.E.
76 '2
75*5
75*8
•897
•884
•890
85
6 9
77
0
5
2
B
C
B
4
82
83
82-5
88
74
14
153
65
S.E.
E.
75*3
76-3
75*8
■877
•905
•891
80
80
80
0
3
3
B
C
C
5
79
83
81
85
74
I L
105
20
E,
S.E.
75*6
78-
76*8
■888
•956
■922
90
85
87*5
3
5
3
C
C
C
•22
6
78
86
82
88
72
l6
155
67
E.
S.W.
746
74 *
74*3
•857
*855
•856
89
68
78*5
0
0
0
B
C
B
7
78
85
815
85
73
12
130
45
S.E.
S.E.
746
75 *
74*8
■857
•873
■865
89
72
805
3
0
0
C
B
B
■18
8
80
83
81 '5
87
72
15
154
67
S.E.
S.E.
75 *
747
74*8
■867
-856
-861
85
76
b
00
0
0
0
B
B
B
■1 1
9
77
86
8 i '5
87
72
15
147
60
S.E.
S.E.
73*6
J 2 'S
J2'2
•829
•808
•818
89
64
76*5
3
0
0
C
B
B
lO
81
87
84
88
72
l6
149
61
S.E.
S.E.
72-
75 * 5 .
73*2
•802
•884
*843
76
69
72*5
0
0
0
B
B
B
n
76
78
77
88
72
l6
154
66
S.E.
E.
72*6
74*6
73*6
■801
*857
•829
89
89
89
0
10
2
B
B
B
■23
12
77
80
78'5
88
72
l6
153
65
S.E.
S.E.
71-9
75 *
73*4
783
.867
‘S25
84
85
84*5
0
0
2
B
R
B
13
77
83
80
84
73
11
:o8
24
S.E.
S.E.
73*6
76*3
74*9
•S29
*905
•867
89
80
84*5
3
5
0
C
B
*12
14
75
83
79
85
72
13
I 5 I
66
S.E.
S.W.
7r6
71*3
7 i *4
*774
766
•870
89
§8
78*5
3
0 .
0
C
C
B
i 5
78
85
8 i *5
86
72
•’4
151
65
S.E.
S.
72-9
71-8
72*3
■810
781
*845
84
64
74
0
0
p
B
B
B
16
78
87
82-5
87
74
13
151
64
S.E.
S.E.
72*9
72-2
725
*810
792
■8oi
84
61
72-5
0
0
0
B
B
B
17
83
85
84
86
74
12
137
51
S.
S.W.
747
73*4
74 *
•856
•826
■841
76
68
72
3
3
$
C
B
B
•45
iS
79
85
82
86
7 2
14
i 39
53
E.
S.W.
75*6
75 *
75*3
■888
•873
•880
90
72
81
3
3
2
C
C
B
19
80
83
8r 5
86
73
13
148
62
S.E.
S.E.
73 ‘ 3 ‘
'747
74 *
•820
•856
•S38
80
76
78
3
0
0
c
C
B
20
81
82
Si '5
82
73
12
i 49
64,
S.E.
S.E.
762
75-3
75 * 7 .
•S97
•877
•8S7
85
80
82*5
3
5
5
c
B
C
in
21
83
86
84-5
87
75
12
i 47
60
S.E.
E.
73 *
72*8
72*9
•810
•808
•809
72
64
68
2
10
3
B
C
C
■10
22
79
85
82
S6
73
13
i 5 °
64
E.
E.
73*9
75 *
74*4
•839
*873
•S56
85
72
78*5
0
3
10
B
R
R
2*35
23
81
85
83
87
7 i
16
152
65
N.E.
S.E.
76*2
75 *
75*6
•897
*873
■885
85
72
78-5
0
3
2
B
C
B
24
80
86
83
87
75
12
154
67
S.E.
S.
73*3
72-8
73 *
820
•808
■814
80
64
72
2
3
2
B
C
B
25
79
88
83-5
88
72
16
149
61
S.E.
S.
73*9
70 *
719
‘839
*733
786
85
55
70
0
0
2
B
C
B
26
81
87
84
87
72
15
149
62
S.E.
S.
72 *
72*2
72‘I
■802
792
*797
76
61
68' 5
0
0
0
B
B
B
27
80
87
83-5
88
7 1
17
154
66
S.E.
S.E.
716
72’2
7 i *9
*775
•792
■783
75
6 1
68
O
0
• 0
B
B
B
28
83
83
83
86
74
12
142
56
S.E.
S.W.
73 *
74*7
73*8
•810
■856
*833
72
76
74
0
0
0
B
B
B
29
80
87
83 '5
88
73
15
150
62
E.
s.
73 *3
73*9
73*6
.820
•837
.828
|
80
65
72*5
0
0
3
B
B
C
30
85
83
84
87
74
13
148
61
S.E.
s.
75 *
73 *
74 *
•873
! Sio
■841
72
72
72
•
3
3
0
C
C
B
1
Total 578
State Surgeon’s Office,
R. VAN GEYZEL,
Seremban , 12th July , /poj.
Apothecary ,
wm
' ' . 1 „
© -
*
AGRICULTURAL BULLETIN
OF THE
STRAITS
AND
FEDERATED MALAY STATES.
No. 9.] SEPTEMBER, 1905. [VOL. IV.
THE AGRICULTURAL EXHIBITION HELD
IN PENANG.
The second Agricultural Exhibition for the whole of the Malay
Peninsula which was held at Penang this year was undoubtedly the
finest display of the produce of the country both in agricultural
products and in artistic work ever exhibited to the public in the
Peninsula. Some Ceylon visitors were heard to ask why cannot
we have Show's like this in Ceylon ? Nothing approaching such an
exhibition having ever been seen in the neighbouring Colony. The
display indeed reflected the greatest credit on the Secretary, Com-
mittees and the numerous exhibitors and others who contributed to
the success of the ShowL The weather was 1 perfect, hardly any rain
falling during the three days of the Show, and the crowds of Euro-
peans and Natives who came to see the exhibits testified to the
interest taken in the produce of the country. Indeed, Penang w'as
so crowded with visitors that many found some difficulty in finding
places to stay in ' e town.
It was noticed that the Native exhibitors were this year more apt
at the work of exhibiting their produce than on previous occasions,
and seemed to understand the methods and regulations adopted for
the arrangements of the different classes better than last year,
thus relieving the Secretaries and others of a good deal of work.
In the Art Section which w r as very large, the Natives had no cause
for regret that they had brought their works to Penang, for those
who did not get prizes were gratified by the way in which the public
bought their exhibits, and more would doubtless have been sold had
not the unsold stock b’een repacked and carried off by the exhibitors
on the last day with surprising rapidity. It^would, perhaps, be
worth considering if on future occasions some arrangement could
be come to to have a sale-day after the Show.
The exhibition was opened at eleven o'clock on the first day by
His Excellency Sir John Anderson who had previously made a
334
tour of the buildings. After a speech by Mr. J. K. Birch, His
Excellency spoke for a considerable time on the subject of the ex-
hibition and on the progress of agriculture; his remarks being very
much to the point and very well received, after which he declared
the Show open. The exhibition remained open till Friday evening
when the Cups which had been presented by various donors were
distributed to the winners by Mr. Birch.
Agricultural Produce.
The section for agricultural produce was the biggest and perhaps
the most interesting part of the Show and both in quantity and
quality exceeded all previous exhibitions. Taking the classes as
were arranged in the schedule, arrowroot was well shown,
Mr. Yv. Y\ . Norris of Singapore taking first prize and diploma for
roots as he did last year and a second prize for prepared arrowroot.
The second prize for roots fell to Caledonia Estate, the third to
Penghulu Mat Chie. Prepared arrowroot was represented by a
number of good samples, the first prize being allotted to Mr. CHOW
Ah Nean, his sample being a little finer than that of Mr. Norris.
In this class, a sample of the roots of Canna edulis, Tons les mois ,
a form of arrowroot seldom cultivated, was shewn.
Betel-nuts both fresh in the husk and dried and split were exten-
sively exhibited, over fifty samples of the latter class being entered.
The prize for fresh Betel-nuts fell to Mr. C. J. Williams with a
very fine bunch. Dried nuts were more difficult to judge owing to
the great number shown and the excellence of the samples. The
comparative values of this product are estimated not only By the
size of the nut and its fully ripe condition but also by its fullness
and absence of a crack or split in the centre.
There were but few entries for articles made from the Coco-nut
palm, and those not very first class collections but many of such
articles were to be found in the Art Section of the Show. Coco-nut
oil was clearly a popular exhibit, over eighty bottles of good, bad
and indifferent oil being staged.
Toddy was represented by five or six exhibits, that of Caledonia
Estate being considered by the expert employed to judge, a Tamil
man, as very superior.
The great Show thus of products of the Coco-nut palm illustrated
the great importance of this plant to the Malay Peninsula and the
excellence of the produce in all its forms.
Dragon's blood, the red resin from the shells of the fruit of Dce-
monorops was represented by several high class specimens. Abdul
Wahab taking the first prize with a good bright coloured sample of
powder, and block with a bunch of the fruit.
Of Indigo there were several samples chiefly liquid and paste,
Caledonia Estate showed a bottle of Indigo powder, dry, rather pale
in colour, but considered worthy of special commendation by the
judges on account of the difficulty and importance of preparing it
in this form.
Fibres were poorly shewn, compared with the fine lot shewn last
335
year by Mr. SCHIRMER, who did not exhibit on this, occasion.
Chiefly noticeable was some excellent rope of Sansevtera fibre
prepared by Mr. PRIOR. There is a future for fibre in the Malay
Peninsula and we shall hope to see it better shewn at future
Shows.
Some samples of Raphia bast prepared in the Botanic Gardens,
Singapore, from the leaves of the Raphia ruffia palm were shewn
in this section.
Cocoa pods were only represented by two lots, neither ripe and of
very inferior quality and no prize was awarded.
Cloves had thirteen exhibits and were fairly good. The sample
that obtained the first prize being excellent, but we remember to
have seen a better Show of this spice in former exhibits in
Penang.
Nutmegs were very good and a considerable number both in the
husk and in the shell were shewn, and Mace was also well repre-
sented.
There were several entries for collections of spices used in curries,
very nicely got up and arranged.
Ginger was not as finely shewn as we have seen, though the sam-
ple which obtained the first prize shewn by Mr. Chin Kin Goon
was by no means a bad one. The other samples were small and
rather poor. The same might be said of Turmeric, the first sample,
however, shewn by Mr. KANG TheaN SUNG, was exceptionally good.
Perhaps the dry season at the beginning of the year may have been
the cause of the poorness of the exhibits in these classes.
Pepper, both white and black, was represented by excellent ex-
amples from Gapis and Kamuning Estates and also from Sepang.
In this class some excellent pepper was staged which was disqualified
by the judges as it was discovered that the exhibitor was a dealer
in Penang who had imported his samples from Achin.
There were one or two other cases in agricultural produce in
which the exhibitor' had shewn products purchased by him in the
market, and unfortunately, by some oversight, the regulations did
not prevent an exhibitor purchasing samples in the market and
\ showing them as his own so long as they were grown in the Penin-
sula. Such a thing is hardly likely to occur except when the exhibi-
tions are held in the large towns, Singapore and Penang, but the
rules in this respect will require alteration.
Of Copra, over a hundred samples were shown, chiefly sundried,
but Kiln-dried Copra was not wanting; many of the specimens
were very fine.
The classes for Coco-nuts husked and' unhusked, and collections
of different kinds were, as at last year’s Show, represented by a vast
array, occupying one side of the building allotted to agricultural
produce, and gave no small work to the judges to decide on which
were the best. A Ceylon visitor was heard to remark that if he had
%6
33 ^
known that the Malay Peninsula could produce such nuts he would
have started planting here years ago. Mr. Prior as usual carried
off the best prizes in this section both for collection and sample.
In the co lections of Coco-nuts some very odd varieties appeared,
such as the horned Coco-nut with its short horn-like additional
carpe s, and some very narrow and small fruits, and many more
Coco-nulSu^r was well shewn, the samples being numerous and
good, and giving some trouble to the judges to decide on their res-
pective merits. There were five or six exhibits of Nipah Sugar, and
plenty of the sugar from the Kabong palm Arenga, most of whiV>-
Hn S fe7 r n S °° d m" d S °' 1 ne ver ' v excellent. Tea was not unrepre-
sented ; Durian Tunggal estate taking first prize.
Gambir was fairly shewn, Penghulu Kasan’S Cube, and Nail
gambir being a good sample.
n^!i e fi She 7^ by K th r e sca " t!ness of the exhibits how much this
pioduct has fallen before the advance of rubber, still what was
shewn was of veiy good quality. Mr. BAILEY carried oft a prize
p DTA h ' S h ^ b [J d Stenophylla-li bene a, and was seconded by Mr.
PRIOR, and the latter won on Liberian coffee both new and old.
\/r ° f r?A SSentiaI ° iIs th ^ rewere a number of interesting kinds shewn.
Mr. Hardouin staged a very pretty series of Patchouli, Nutmeg,
Clove Lemon-grass and Citronella. Mr. Machado shewed also
several good and unusual oils including Calamus Oil, (Acorus Cala-
mus) and Lemon Oil. v
Citronella Oil was shewn also separately but not in large series.
Castor Oil had eight exhibits and was good. Sesamum Oil was
also shewn, and one sample of Rubber Seed Oil very clear and
bright was exhibited by Mr. COATES. Para rubber seed is too much
value^^an oil 3 ^ planting to P rodu ce a large display of its
Sago Flour and Pearl Sago were not as well shewn as might have
been expected, the samples being few and poor,
Tapioca roots were fairly good and some were large, and the dis-
play on the whole was about as good as usual.
Tapioca Flour and Pearl, and Flake Tapioca were well shewn and
of good quality and colour.
Sugar Canes were not very extensively shewn, but it is un-
necessary to say that those coming from Caledonia Estate were very
fine. The variety of kinds shewn by other exhibitors was not
large, but both crushing and eating canes were represented. A
branched cane, not by the way a great rarity, attracted some atten-
tion. In refined Sugar, Caledonia Estate was the only exhibitor
fora very nice looking sample refined in Hongkong was prompt^
disqualified by the judges. Rum and Rum shrub also were only
represented by samples from the great Sugar Estate, whence also
came a sample bag of Molascuit, a new food for horses mostly
composed of sugar, and said to be very popular with these animals.
33 ?
Brown Sugar was well shewn, Leong Lak Hing of Bagan Serai
getting a prize for this.
The Shows of Jungle Produce as represented by Guttas and
Rubbers, and also Damars, were poor, and call for no special
remarks. Rattans were well represented, a considerable number of
collections being shewn. Many of those exhibited were, however,
hardly trade rattans, still as collections they were good and inter-
esting. Bamboos were well shown, ordinary kinds as well as the
curious spotted bamboo, twisted ones, and some large specimens of
the big Dendrocalamus giganteus.
Native herbs used in medicine were very much more extensively
shewn than at last year’s Show where there were but few entries.
One competitor took a prize with a hundred and four different herbs
with a catalogue of their native names and uses.
Mr. MACHADO brought from Kamuning estate some valuable
drugs he had grown and prepared including Ipecacuanha, Jeringu
( Acorus calamus ) Brucea sumatrana. Hydrocotyle asiatica , dried
leaves, and Papain for the latter he received a special prize.
Fodder grasses were represented by several collections, but none
were particularly well selected. The exhibitors seemed to think
that any grasses or sedges could be classed as fodder grasses, and
some of the collections contained coarse sedges quite unsuited for
fodder. Of Tuba roots a considerable number of samples were
shewn, chiefly differing in thickness of root and neatness of pre^
paration.
Patchouli was well shewn, twenty-two samples being staged, Mr.
MACHADO again this year carried off first prize with fine and well
dried leaves. Of Sirih leaves there were twenty-six specimens,
both of the Chinese and Malay strains, nearly all were very fine
large-leaved samples. The • Malay who was asked to judge this
difficult class, gave his verdict for the red veined form.
Indian corn was good and abundant, some fine coles being shown.
There was little variety in the kinds staged, only one sample of the
red corn being shown.
Cotton was chiefly and largely represented by the short stapled
Javanese cotton, but Mr. LOGAN won on a fine sample of Egyptian
prepared with great care, and grown in the North of Province Wel-
lesley, Mr. Machado also showed Egyptian.
Kapok was veiy abundant, and many of the samples very good.
Para rubber was naturally one of the most interesting and attrac-
tive exhibits and the collection was for the most part superb. Mr.
BAILEY’S crepe and fancy rubber were highly admired. Mr.
Prior’s crepe, and the samples shown by Mr. Coates, Mr.
MACHADO and Sandy Croft estate were all of the finest qualities.
The old fashioned biscuits were represented but the crepe and flat
oblong sheets were more in favour, and the round biscuits seem
to be almost a thing of the past. Scrap was well prepared by Mr.
Bailey and Mr. Meikle, and was really very good. Rambong
was not wanting, Mr. Prior’S crepe strips being the best sample
333
of this rubber we have seen, Mr. Bailey shewed excellent samples.
One untoward thing occurred in the judging of the rubber classes,
Mr. Lake and Pagets’ cup for any rubber of other class than what
took first prize in Para rubber, was awarded to a good sample of
sheet rubber, entered in the name of a Chinaman, who it proved
later was merely a buyer and not a cultivator. In cases like this
the prize should really belong to the grower and preparer of the
rubber and not the mere agent, who has no claim to it.
A prize offered for improved rubber machinery was awarded to
an improved roller for making sheet rubber. It is needless to >
that both in quantity and quality the exhibition of rubber was an
immense improvement on the display of last year’s Show, and was
an exhibition of which the planters might well be proud.
Flowers and Plants.
The exhibition of horticulture was by no means what it has been
at previous Shows, and was little if at all better than that of last
year’s Show at Kwala Lumpur, a very large number of the classes,
in the schedule were not at all represented. The flowers were
scanty and on the whole poor, the foliage plants not up to standard,
why this should be one cannot say, but one cannot help feeling that
we have not now-a-days the horticulturists of some years back. In
a country where so many fine and beautiful plants can be easily
grown, it is regrettable to see so poor a Show staged.
A fine Grammatophyllum speciosum with eight flower spikes
shewn by Mr. A. Oecitale was very attractive. The Cantonese Club
showed a fine series of cock’s combs and of asters, but beside this
there was practically nothing in the way of flowering plants to look
at. The Botanic Gardens of Penrng shewed some fine Cattleyas
and other orchids, and the beautiful white, red and pink Tobaccos,
Nicotiana Sanderiana and a finis and a number of pinks which
brightened up the exhibition considerably of foliage-plants. Mr.
John Brown shewed a good group of aroids and Mr. Machado
brought from Kamuning a very fine pot of white Caladium ; Mrs.
LOGAN took a prize with a large Asparagus plant. Palms were
somewhat better shewn, Kow Jo Tok took the first prize for six
palms, well grown but common kinds, Mr. Machado showed some
of the rarer nature palms from the Kamuning woods, including
both forms of new Pinanga acaulis and Iguanuara Wallichii, and
took the first prize for specimen palm with a well grown Licuala
grandis .
Mr. TAN Tin Bee shewed a nice little lot of palms also includ-
ing the gem of the whole of the foliage plants, a perfect specimen of
the beautiful and rare Licuala orbicularis from Borneo.
Two lots of the Chinese grotesque plants were shown, both good
of their kind.
Mrs. J, Brown shewed a fairly good group of various plants.
A few medium Crotons, a poor lot of Begonias, some mediocre
ferns and Selaginiellas made up the rest of this part of the exhibition.
The cut and arranged flowers were scanty, the roses were fairly
339
good, those of Kamuning being very good for low country cultiva-
tion. There were several entries for table decoration, Mrs. Fox
securing the first prize for a pretty arrangement of roses, a table
decorated with pink and white Honolulu creeper was the next best
arrangement.
Vegetables.
In the classes for vegetables there were some fa rly good exhibits
but the attraction in this part of the Show was the superb series of
vegetables from the Perak Hills Gardens shown by Mr. CAMPBELL,
Here on a circular table were shown peas, carrots of two varieties,
vc:;, large, excellent cabbages, potatoes of unusual size for even our
hill stations, excellent beet root, tomatos, leeks, radishes, vegetable
marrows, two varieties, turnips, kohlrabi, celery (exceptionally large)
artichokes, chocho, parsley, mint and several other vegetables.
Undoubtedly the finest exhibition of European vegetables ever seen
in the Peninsula.
With these were staged some good Cocoa-pods, and some thin
sheets of Ceara rubber (very clean and good) Castilloa, Rambong,
and Para rubber. The whole display reflected the greatest credit
on Mr. CAMPBELL. Of the vegetables shown for competition the
first prize for collection of vegetables was won by a very poor lot,
Cucumbers were fairly good, and so were beans of different kinds,
the rest of the vegetables were very ordinary.
Fruit.
The fruit classes were better on the whole and contained some
very good exhibits, but it was difficult to see on what grounds the
judges awarded their decisions, as in the cases of durians, pine-
apples, papayas and pumeloes, the fruits were not even opened, so
that flavour and condition seemed to be eliminated in deciding the
comparative value of the fruits. In the case of any fruit not speci-
ally classed a prize was given to some fruits supposed to be lemons,
and by some thought to be oranges, but which were really one of
the citrons of inferior quality. The most noticeable fruits in this
class were some good avocado pears shown by Mr. COATES, and
some good pomegranates shewn by Mr. Khew Khooi of Balik
Pulau, but neither of these exhibits obtained any mark of com*
mendation.
But few Rambutans were shown, although the crop seemed to
be very fine in Penang this year, but the samples were fairly good,
and the Pul asans better, Tampunet, (Artocarpus rigida ) a fruitless
well known to the Eurpoean than it should be was Well shown.
A good number of pines were shown, chiefly Mauritius pines, of
which the sample which received the first prize was hardly in con-
dition. There were two samples of black West Indian, one of
which large but overripe obtained a first prize, the second in better
condition, were smaller. A second prize was won by some field
pines, (of the Red Ripley style) large but of no particular merit. A
special prize was. awarded to a tall-stemmed pine With a small' and
almost rotten fruit. Perhaps the most interesting pine shewn was
the Pernambuco (Abacaxi) of which three fruits hardly ripe, how-
340
ever, were shown by Mr. COATES. This white fleshed pine is
perhaps the finest eating pine in the world.
Of other fruits especially noticeable were some very fine Binjai
of great size, which well deserved the prize they obtained. The
Guavas were also good and there were ten exhibits of Dukus.
Bachangs, Champedaks, Watermelons (as far as one could judge
from unopened fruits) were all good, and the Chikus (Sapodillas)
were of good size but npt ripe. The Pumeloes were good in point
of size. The Durians it was impossible to form an opinion on as
none were opened. Oranges were only represented by two exhibits,
one sent by Mr. Kim KeAT of Singapore was deservedly given a
first prize. Mangosteens considering the poor season were well up
to standard. Of Papayas hardly any but the very large green kind
were shown. These though highly suitable for extracting papain,
are usually very inferior as fruit to the smaller orange variety,
which was only represented by one or two fruits. Bananas were
plentiful but most were overripe, some of the bunches however
were in good condition and of good strains. The prize for the
collection of fruit was won by Mr. Logan with a good and well
arranged set in excellent condition. On the whole, considering that
the fruit season has been a bad one this year in most places, the
display of fruit was good, and very superior so the show of vege-
tables.
Art.
The Art Section of the Show was even better than that of last
year and was indeed overcrowded. Among the exhibits which had
a botanical interest were some hats of the style of Panama hats
made by the Sakais under the direction of Mr. Cerruti. These
hats which were soft and flexible and of good form and texture
were made of strips of Banana fibre. Mr. Cerruti at first attempted
to cultivate the Panama hat-plant ( Carludovica palmata ) for this
purpose and plants were sent from the Singapore Botanic Gardens,
but this plant is of slow growth, at least in this country, and so he
taught l he Sakais to use the cultivated Banana instead. Only
some half dozen hats were exhibited, but they were so highly ap-
preciated by the public that any number could probably be disposed
pf. Mr. Cerruti may be congratulated on his inducting the Sakais
into manufactures of useful articles for which there is some de-
mand.
Stock. .
The exhibition of stock was by no means as good as might have
been expected, or indeed as was shewn at the Show held at Penang
some years ago.
Cattle were hardly shown at all. Mr. DOUGLAS won a prize how-
ever with a small but nice looking Australian bull, as champion
animal in the Cattle section. Local bred and Indian Cattle w^ere
poorly represented. Buffalos were represented by a couple of bulls
of no great merit.
Pigs were better shown, there were some very good sows on view.
The champion animal being an enormous and very sulky brute,
34i
weighing 480 catties (5$ cwt). There were a good number of litters
of pigs also. Goats were few and not very good. Sheep had all
classes filled, the first prize Ewe sheep being exceptionally fine, the
other exhibits were fair.
, Poultry.
The exhibition of poultry was very good, and far in advance of
last year’s Show. Mr. H. Wool won the prize for the champion
with a grand pair of fowl. Two pens of Buff Cochins were highly
admired and there was a good show of Bantams, Malay fowl, Sil-
kies, and other breeds. Guinea fowl were not as good as last year,
only one entry of a pair of good white birds being made. Muscovy
ducks and Manila ducks were well shown, and the Geese were fine
and in good condition.
The Pigeons, Antwerps and Fantails were very good, but there
aught to have been more entries.
Of Cage-birds a number of different kinds were shown, Nicobar
Pigeons, Pergam ( Carpophaga ), Hornbill, Parakeets, Crested Par-
tridges, Avadabats and other birds.
Rabbits, at one time a feature of Penang Shows, were not exhi-
bited. Two lots of Guinea Pigs however created much interest
among the Natives.
Produce.
The Butter which was rather extensively shown was very good,
and there were many entries for Eggs, both of fowls and ducks,
and some of the samples were exceptionally good.
The Governor’s Cup.
For the best general exhibit in Agricultural produce was carried
off by Caledonia Estate, Kamuning coming second. This cup was
judged for by a system of marks for first, second and third prizes,
and for exhibits which did not take prizes but were worthy of being
shown, Mr. Machado of Kamuning Estate won a cup given for the
best general exhibit of the Show, shewing Para Rubber, Coconuts,
Ginger, Oils, Papain and other drugs, Pepper black and white,
Patchouli, Arrowroot, Betelnuts, Kapok, Coffee, Fibre, Citronella
Oil, Coconut Oil, Sirih, Tapioca roots, Tea, Tuba, Turmeric, Chilis.
Limes, Roses, Palms, Fowls, two breeds, Eggs, Caladiums, not a
bad exhibition for a comparatively small estate. Caledonia estate
showed Betelnuts, Arrowroot, Indigo, Rum, Rum shrub, Sugar-
cane, Sugar, Patchouli, Cotton, Kapok, Coffee, Oil, Coconuts,
Tapioca, Toddy and Rubber. Mr. Prior though showing less in
variety did very well with his fine lot of produce, taking three prizes
for Coconuts, one for Copra,.. two for Coffee, two for Rubber and a
highly commended Fibre, which was about all he showed.
Next Year’s Exhibition.
At the suggestion of His Excellency the Governor the exhibition
in 1906 will be held at Singapore about the end of July or begin-
ning of August, and we shall hope to have as successful an exhibi-
tion as the last.
342
PRIZES AWARDED AT THE
PENANG AGRICULTURAL SHOW 1905.
'DIVISION A.
Agricultural Produce-
Class. I st.
2nd.
3rd
Extra,
$
$
$
$
i. Arrois- '-oot, fresh, best sample.
Harry H. Norris, Singapore
s
0
0
0
Caledonia Estate, Province Wellesley
0
2
0
0
Penghulu Mohamed Sahid, Nibong Tebal
0
0
1
0
2. Arrow-root, prepared, best sample.
Chow Ah Nyen, Penang
5
0
0
0
Harry H. Norris, Singapore
0
2
0
0
Sahid bin Lebai Mohamed Salleh, Nibong Tebal o
0
1
0
3* Bamboos , best collection.
Penghulu of Pulau Tiga, Lower Perak
5
0
0
0
Penghulu Pulau Kemeri, Kuala Kangsa
0
2
0
0
Sahat bin Rahman, Malacca
0
0
1
0
4. Betel-nuts, fresh.
C. J. Williams, Bukit Mertajam
3
0
0
0
Penghulu Mamud, Negri Sembilan
0
2
0
0
Gan Pow, Butterworth
0
0
1
0
5- Betel-nuts, dried and split.
Mohamed Hassin, Bukit Mertajam
5
0
0
0
Kung Thean Sung, Penang
0
3
0
0
Penghulu Mamud, Malacca
0
0
1
0
6. Cloves, best sample.
Law Chit Mun, Penang
10
0
0
0
S. M. Peralta, Malacca
0
5
0
0
Cheah Soon Soon, Penang
.0
0
2
0
7. Coconuts, unhushed, best sample.
Penghulu Mat Hassan, Bukit Mertajam
7
0
0
0
H. Alam, Malacca
0
3
0
0
Bertam Estate
0
0
i
0
8 . Coconuts, husked, best sample.
Pachee, Province Wellesley
7
0
0
0
Penghulu Lehir, Telok Anson
0
3
0
0
Penghulu Mat Assan, Bukit Mertajam
0
0
1
0
Penghulu Yusop, Malacca {Extra Prize)
0
0
0
3
9. Coconuts, best collection of varieties.
E. B. Prior, Selangor, Medal
10
0
0
0
Abu Kassim, Krian
0
5
0
0
Syed Hamad, Penang
0
0
2
0
C. J. Williams, Bukit Mertajam (Extra Prize)
0
0
0
5
10. Copra, best sample sun dried.
E. B. Prior, Selangor
5
0
0
0
Penghulu of Bagan Datoh, Lower Perak
0
3
0
0
Gan Pow, Butterworth
0
0
1
0
—
Carried over $ 62
3 °
12
8
343
.Division A.— Continued.
Class.
I St.
2nd.
3rd.
Extra,
$
$
$
$
Brought forward
62
30
12
8
11.
Copra , best sample kiln dried.
Gan Pow, Butterworth ..."
5
O
0
0
Koe Tiar.g Hock, Penang ... ’...
0 "*
3
0
0
12.
Coconut palm , best collection of products.
Osman, Penang
10
0
0
0
Megat Yassin, Kuala Kangsa...
0
5
0
0
Ngah Ma Aruf, Kuala Kangsa'
0
0
2
0
13-
Cotton , “ Kabu Kabu" best sample.
Haji Mohamed Sahaat, Penang
5
0
0
0
Syed Ahmad, Penang
0
3
0
0
Mohamed Hassin, Bukit Mertajam ...
0
0
1
0
14.
Cotton ” Kapas ” any other variety best
sample . '
?
D. Logan, Penang, Medal ... ... •
10
0
0
0
A. D. Machado
0
5
0
0
Che Brahim, Province Wellesley
0
0
2
0
1 6.
Coffee, Liberian.
E. B. Prior, (Selangor) Medal ....
10
0
0
0
W. W. Bailey, (Selangor)
0
5
0
0
C. & R. S. Meikle, Wardieburn Estate
0
0
2
0
17.
Coffee . any other variety.
W. W. Bailey, (Selangor)
5
0
0
0
E. B. Prior, Selangor
0
3
0
0
18.
Dragon's Blood, best sample.
Abdul Wahab, Krian
5
0
0
0
Penghulu Hassin, Krian
0
3
0
0
P. Cornelius, Penang
0
0
1
0
19.
Fibres, best collection.
Syed Ahmed,. Penang . ... ...
iS
0
0
0
Mydin, Penang
0
7
0
0
Shaik Hossain, Penang
0
0
2
0
20.
Fodder, Grass best collection.
Alii, Penang ... ...
5
0
0
0
Mohamed Arasat, Penang
0
3
0
0
Chek Lah, Penang ...
0
0
1
0
21.,
Gambier, best sample.
Penghulu Kassan, Ayer Molek, Malacca ...
5
0
0
0
Penghulu Haji Jawal, Ayer Molek, Malacca
0
3
0
0
Penghulu Haji Mamud, Ayer Molek, Malacca
0
0
1
d
22;
Getahs, best collection of local.
Penghiilu Grik, Perak . ... —
7
0
0
0
23-
Gums and Dammars , best collection of local.
0
Haji Saman bin Itam, Malacca
7
0
0
0
Penghulu of Pulau Tiga, Lower Perak
0
3
0
0
Penghulu Grik, Perak
0
0
1
0
24.
Ginger, best sample.
Chin Kim Yoon, Penang
5
0
0
0
iftto
Carried over $156
73
25
8
344
Division A.— Continued.
Brought forward
Ginger, best sample — continued.
Kira Kwee, Penang ...
A. D. Machado
Indigo, prepared, best sample.
Teoh Heng Keat, Penang
Tan Lo Heng, Krian
C. J. Williams, Bukit Mertajam
Caledonia Estate, P. W. (Special Prize)
Mace dried, red.
Koey Lean Seang, Penang
1st.
2nd.
3rd.
Extra.
$
$
$
$
156
73
25
8
0
3
0
0
0
0
I
0
25 -
27.
28.
29.
30 -
3 *-
32 -
33 -
34. Oil , teel seed {Minyak lengah) best sample.
William Kellie Smith, Batu Gajah
Syed Mohamed Idid, Penang ...
Chain bin Che Mat, Penang ... ...
25. Oil, Castor, best sample.
Sonna Router, Penang
C. J. Williams, Bukit Mertajam
Allex Smith, Kellas Estate. Batu Gajah
36, Oil, Para Rubber, best sample.
W. J. Coates, Negri Sembilan — .
5
o
o
o
Chong Kim On, Penang
0
3
0
O
Loh Hup Seang, Penang
0
0
1
O
Maize.
Belal Mohamed Daud, Kuala Kangsa
5
0
0
O
Anjang Dris, Kuala Kangsa
0
3
0
O
Penghulu of Bandar, Lower Perak
0
0
1
O
Medicinal Plants, best collection.
Penghulu of Durian Sebatang, Lower Perak
10
0
0
O
Choo Ah Nyen, Penang
0
5
0
O
Megat Yasin, Kuala Kangsa
0
0
2
O
Nutmegs, fresh, best sample.
Kim Kee, Penang ...
5
0
0
O
C. & R. S. Meikle, Wardiebum Estate, Selangor 0
3
0
O
Kulub Abdul Karim, Kuala Kangsa
0
0
1
O
Nutmegs, dried, best sample.
Chong Kim On, Penang
10
0
0
O
Chong Ah Lim, Penang
0
5
0
O
Teoh Tiang Siew, Penang
0
0
2
O
Oil, citronella, best sample.
Mohamed Zain, Penang ...
10
0
0
O
E. E. Chasseriau
0
5
V O
O
Mohamed bin Mat Salleh, Nibong Tebal ...
0
0
2
O
Oil, Coconut, best sample.
Lim Soo Lim, Penang ... ...
10
0
O
O
William Kellie Smith, Batu Gajah
0
5
O
O
G. B. Baptist, Penang
0
0
2
O
Carried over $233 1 16
40
13
345
Division A . — Continued.
ist.
2nd.
3rd.
Extra.
$
%
s
$
Brought forward
233
116
40
13
38.
Oil cake, best sample .
D. Mohamed Noor, Penang
5
0
0
0
39*
Oils, best collection of essential .
A. C, Hardouin, Bukit Tambun
10
0
0
0
A. D. Machado
0
5
0
0
William Kellie Smith, Kellas Estate, Batu Gaiah 0
0
2
0
40.
Pepper , white, best sample.
E. R. Salisbury, Padang Rengas
10
0
0
0
Lee Seng Nam, Selangor
0
5
0
0
A. D. Machado
0
0
2
0
41.
Pepper , black, best sample.
E. R. Salisbury, Padang Rengas
10
0
0
0
A. D. Machado
0
5
0
0
Loh Kong Yew, Negri Sembilan
0
0
2
0
42.
Pepper , Trang, best sample.
Ban Tek Hong, Penang ... ...
10
0
0
0
43-
Patchouli, best sample.
A. D. Machado
5
0
0
0
Mad Tahir, Kuala Kangsa
0
3
0
0
Jlaji Gabor, Kuala Kangsa
0
0
1
0
44*
Padi, any variety.
Penghulu Che Puteh, Krian
10
0
0
0
Penghulu Mohamed, Krian
0
5
0
0
Haji Othman, Butterworth
0
0
2
0
45*
Padi , best collection of varieties.
Penghulu Haji Mohamed Ahib, Krian
50
0
0
0
Osman bin Isahak, Nibong Tebal
0
25
0
0
Haji Mamudin, Perak
0
0
10
0
46.
Pulot , best sample.
*
Penghulu Cheh Puteh, Krian
5
0
0
0
Penghulu Sulong bin Husin, Malacca
0
3
0
0
Kung Thean Sung ...
0
0
1
0
47*
Pulot, best collection of varieties .
Penghulu Che P'teh, Krian
7
0
0
0
Osman bin Isahak, Nibong Tebal
0
3
0
0
Mukim Ijok, Perak
0
0
1
0
48.
Rice, prepared by machinery, best sample.
Daub, Malacca
0
5
0
0
49*
Rice, prepared by pounding, best sample.
Penghulu Grik, Perak
10
0
0
0
Haji Abas, Bukit Mertajam
0
5
0
0
Penghulu Hasim, Krian
0
0
3
0
So.
Rice, best collection of varieties.
Haji Mamudin, Perak
0
5
0
0
Muntri Tengah, Malacca
0
0
3
0
52*
Rotans, best collection.
Mat Asat
S
0
0 .
0
Haji Mohamed Sahat, Penang
0
3
0
0
Penghulu Grik, Perak
0
0
1
0
Barried over
37o
iSS
68
13
346 ;
DIVISION A,— Continued.
■ ■ •
1st.
2nd.
3rd.
Extra.
$
$
$
$
Brought forward
370
1S8
68
13
53 -
Rubber , ( rambong ) best sample :
■
W. W. Bailey, Selangor ... ...
0
10
0
0
54 *
Rubber , ( Para & Rambong) general exhibit
which must be packed in boxes as sent from
the Estate, and guaranteed that such exhibits
have received no special treatment.
C. E. Symonds, Yam Seng Estate
0
10
0
0
55 -
Rubber, ( Para ) free from chemicals.
W. J. Coates, Negri Sembilan ... ...
0
10
0
O
59 -
Sago flour, best sample.
Noodin bin Kali, Malacca ...... . ...
10
0
0
0
Set Kee Ann, Malacca ... ... ...
0...
5
0.
0
i
Penghulu Mat Sahat, Malacca ...
0
0
2
O
60,
Sireh leaves.
<
Penghulu Mamud, Malacca ■■ ... • ...
5
0
0
0
Kulop Sotan, Kuala Kangsa
0.
3
0
0
Mohamed Salleh, Penang ... ...
0.
0
1
0
61.
Spices, best collection.
D. Mohamed Noor, Penang' ...
10
0
0
0
Sh. Mohamed Zinalabdin, Penang
0
3
0
0
Mohamed Ariffin, Penang ... ' ...
0
0
2
O
62.
Sugar Canes.
Leong Lok Hing, Penang
10
0
0
O
63 *
Sugar Canes , best collection of varieties.
Caledonia Estate, P. W., Medal
10
0
0
0
64.
Sugar j Coconut, best sample.
Haji Hamid, Selangor
5
0
0
O
Penghulu Mohamed
0
3
0
0
Ismail, Butterworth ...
0
0
i
0
65 *
Sugar, Nipahj best sample.
Mohamed Salleh, Penang
5
0
0
.0
Babjee, Penang ... ...
0
3
0
0
66.
Sugar, Kabong, best sample.
No Name
5
0
0
0
Penghulu Haji Rajah, Malacca ...
0 .
3
0
0
Penghulu Ujang, Malacca
0
0
1
0
67.
Sugar (cane) brown, best sample
Leong Lok Hing, Penang
5
0
0
0
Penghulu Haji Mohamed Akib, Krian
0
3
0
0
Ong Yu Tong Siang, Ek Estate, Krian
0
0
1
0
68.
Sugar (cane) refined white, best sample.
Caledonia Estate, Province Wellesley
o
5
0
0
69.
Tapioca, roots.
Geo. Stothard, Malakoff Estate, P. W.
5
0
0
0
-
Jatin bin Mat Akib, Nibong Tebal
0
3
0
0
Penghulu Jaffar, Malacca
0
0
1
0
Carried over $440 249
77
*3
347
DIVISION A. — Continued ,
I St.
2nd.
3rd.
Extra
$
%
$
$
Brought forward
440
249
77
13
70.
Tapioca roots, best collection of varieties .
Penghulu Mohamed Said, Nibong Tebal ...
10
O
0
0
Alma Estate ... ...
0
5
0
0
7 1 *
Tapioca, pearl, best sample.
Chan Say Peng, Malacca
S
0
0
0
Penghulu Alom, Malacca
0
3
0
0
Kho<i Soo Tat, Penang
0
0
1
0
Rung Cheng, Malacca (Special Prize)
0
0
0
3
72.
Tapioca, flake, best sample.
Geo. Stothard, Malakoff Estate, P. W.
5
0
0
0
Chan Koon Cheng, Malacca
0
3
0
0
Diamond Jubilee Estate ... .«
0
0
1
0
73-
Tapioca, flour, best sample.
Chan Koon Cheng, Malacca
5
0
0
0
Caledonia Estate, Province Wellesley
0
3
0
0
Sahid bin Lebai Mohamed Saleh, Nibong Tebal 0
0
1
0
74-
Tapioca , any other preparation.
Geo. Stothard, Malakoff Estate, P. W.
S ...
0
0
0
C, Tuah Choo, Bukit Mertajam
0
3
0
0
75-
Tea, best sample.
.
S. M. Peralta, Malacca
10
0
0
0
Penghulu Tongsah, Malacca
0
5
0
0
76.
Toddy, best sample. “
Pariathumbee Pillai, Penang
0
2
0
0
Narayanasamy Pillai, Pena..g (Special Prize)
0
2
0
0
77-
Tuba (akar) best sample.
H. H. Cornelius, Penang
3
0
0
0
Ma’ akir, Negri Sembilan
0
2
0
0
78.
Termeric, best sample.
Rung Thean Sung, Penang
5
0
0
0
Lean Loi Fat, Penang
0
3
0
0
Wok, Negri Sembilan
0
0
1
0
79-
Walking sticks, best collection unprepared
Hassan, Pulau Jerejak
10
0
0
0
Daub, Malacca
0
S
0
0
Penghulu Sahid, Malacca
0
0
2
0
80.
C. & R. S. Meikle, Selangor (2nd prize)
0
10
0
0
W. W. Bailey, (1st prize)
0
0
0
Si-
C. & R. S. Meikle, Selangor (2nd prize)
0
xo
0
0
Total ...
513
305
83
16
34 «.
DIVISION B.
Class.
i.
Flowers, Fruit and Vegetables.
Section I.— Flowers.
Ornamental Foliage Plants in Pots.
ist. 2nd
3
Avoids other than C&ladiums.
John A. Brown, Penang ...
2 . Avoids best specimen,
John A. Brown, Penang
3 ' Caladiums . .
Lim Kean Thuan, Penang
4* Caladiums,
A. D, Machado
6. Crotons.
Mr. Schule
io. Ferns {any variety) distinct.
Mr. Schule
A. Stephen Anthony, Penang ...
1 6. Palms, distinct kinds.
Khaujoo Tok, Penang
John A. Brown, Penang
17. Palms , best specimen.
A. D. Machado
19- Selaginella, distinct kinds.
Mr. Schule
23. Foliage Plant of any kind best specimen.
Mr. D. Logan, Penang
Ornamental Plants in flowers in Pots.
26. Asters.
Contonese Club, Penang
31. Cockscombs.
Lim Ah Chum, Province Wellesley
38. Orchid, best specimen.
Arthur Oechsle, Penang
41. Roses.
Yeoh Cheow Chye, Penang
44. Best collection of jl owerin g plants distinct
kinds,
Cantonese Club, Penang ... ...
45. Best collection of flowering plants {open to
Subscribers for flower seeds only.)
L. M. Murray, Penang (Cup) ...
46. Best plant in Flower in Show.
Cantonese Club, Penang
2
2
5
5
5
0
0
o
3rd. Extra.
Plants whether in Flower or not.
nits arrange
exceed ing 9
Mrs. J. A. Brown, Penang
49. Groups of plants arranged for effect in space
not exceeding 9 feet square.
Carried over, 68
o
7
o
o
V
4 ‘
1
d
/
349
DIVISION B. — Continued .
Class.
1st.
$
2nd.
%
3 rd -
$
So.
Brought forward,
Group of Chinese Plants of fantastic shape.
68
7
0
S’-
Cantonese Club, Penang ... ... 5 0
Cut Flowers and Table Decorations.
Asters.
0
Khoo Moh Kaw, Penang
Bridal Bouquet .
2
0
0
53 -
Miss V. Brown, Penang
Button-holes and Sprays.
5
0
0
55 -
Miss Constance Law, Penang ...
Cut Flowers arranged for effect.
3
0
0
56 .
Miss Violet Brown, Penang
Wild Flowers arranged for effect.
3
0
0
57 ’
K. Bromhead Matthews, Penang
Dahlias.
3
0
0
58 .
Yeoh Cheow Chye, Penang
Hand bouquet.
2
0
u
59 -
A. D. Machado
Roses.
3
0
0
6o.
Yeoh Cheow Chye, Penang
Table Decoration.
2
0
0
6 i.
Mrs. Fox (Cup) ... ... ... 0
Section II. — Fruits.
Bananas, “ Pisang best collection.
0
0
62.
Takaya B. H. Mohamed, Penang
Bananas, “ Pisang ” best bunch any kind.
0
5
0
Serban, Negri Sembilan
3
0
0
63.
David Brown, (extra prize)
Champedak.
3
0
0
Chow Soon Soo, Penang
2
0
0
64.
Penghulu Mat Saiu
Chiku.
0
1
0
Lim Kek Chuan, Penang
3
0
t>
65.
D. Logan, Penang ...
Custard Apple.
0
2
0
66
Ahmad bin Mat Tahir, Province Wellesley
Cultivated fruits , best collection any number.
2
0
0
D. Logan, Penang (Cup)
0
0
0
67.
Ong Chooi,/ Penang ... ... 0
Cultivated fruits, best collection 6 distinct kinds.
5
0
68.
Mohamed Zain, Penang
Durian.
0
3
0
Braheim bin Haji Meran, Penang
5
0
0
69.
Kung Thean Sung, Penang
Durian Blanda.
0
2
0
Chin Kim Toon, Penang
2
0
0
Carried over, §116
25
0
*/in
Extra.
$
o
o
0
o
0
o
o
o
0
0
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
350
Division B.-— Continued.
1st.
70.
7r.
M. Dahalun
Duku.
Brough t forward 1 16
Binjai.
Shaik Mohamed Oosmnn, Penang
Penghulu Mat Bhing, Malacca
7 2 - Jack fruit , .
Muntri Tengah, Malacca
7d> J ambit.
^ eoh Cheow Chye, Penang
74? Langsat.
Ohe Lah C, H. Din,' Penang
Ahmad bin Mat Tahir, Province Wellesley
75- Limes,
A. D. Machado
Alang Daud, Kuala Kangsa
77- Machang.
Janudin bin Abu, Malacca
Anjang Yusuf, (extra prize)
7®* Mangosteens.
Haji Mohamed Saman, Penang
D. Logan, Penang ...
Mata Kuching.
Haji Mat Tapah, Penang ...
Melon, 'any kind.
Penghulu Mat Hassan, Province Wellesley
Papaya.
Mustapa bin Abu Bahar, Province Wellesley
Oranges,
Kim Keat, (Singapore)
W. J. Coates, Negri Sembilan ...
Pineapple ( Mauritius ,)
Abdulrahman, Penang
C. Tuah Choo, Bukit Mertajam
84 - Pineapple ( any other variety.)
H. Wahid bin Mohamed, Malacca
Titah, Negri Sembilan
Rajah Haji Tahya, (Special prize)
^5- Pomeloes.
A. D. Machado
Ali bin Esope, Penang
86. Pulasan.
K. Bromhead Matthews, Penang
Ali bin Esopei Penang
87* Raiybai.
Ali bin Esope, Penang
C. J. Williams, Bukit Mertajam
2
o
79 -
Bo.
Si.
82.
83.
5
o
2
2
2nd.
$
25
o
2
o
2
o
2
2
3rd. Extra;
o
o
o
o
Carried over 161
46
351
Division B.— Continued.
\
Class.
1st.
2nd.
3rd.
Extra.
'
$
$ -
$
$
Brought forward
161
46
0
0
88.
Rambutan.
Lim Kek Chuan, Penang
2
0
0
O
A. 0 . Merican, Penang
0
I
0
0
89.
Wild edible fruits, best collection.
Penghulu Mat Sahat, Malacca ...
5 .
0
Q
O
Yab, Penang -... ... ...
0
3
O
O
90
Any kind of fruit not included in the above.
R. Douglas Tollemache, Selangor
3
0
0
O
Penghulu Telok Bahru
0
2
0
0
Preserved Fruits and Vegetables.
91.
Preserved fruits, best sample any method .
“
Mohamed Kassim, Penang
lip.
O
O
0
Penghulu Amat, Malacca
0
5
O
0
Penghulu Mamud, Malacca (Special prize)
0
0
3
0
Halimah, Malacca ...
0
0
3
0
93 -
Pickles.
M. Pasqual, Penang ... ...
5
0
0
0
94.
Jellies.
Awang, Penang
0
3
0
0
97 -
Benny Fruits.
Nai Kong, Penang
2
0
Ql
98.
Brinfals.
John Lamb ... ... „ f
2
0
0
0
99.
Beans, best collection.
Kung Thean Sung, Penang
3
0
0
O
Mohamed Hashime, Penang
0
2
0
O
100.
Cabbages.
Chong Ah Y ong, Penang
2
0
0
O
ior.
Chillies, best collection.
A. D. Machado
3
0
0
O
Kung Thean Sung, Penang
0
2
0
0
102.
Cucumbers.
Penghulu Mat Hassan, Bukit Mertajam
2
0
0
0
103.
Herbs used in curries and sambals, best collection.
Shaik Hossain, Penang
2
0
0
0
104,
Ladies Fingers.
Kung Thean Sung, Penang
2
0
0
0
105.
Lettuces.
Chong Ah Yong, Penang ... ...
2
0
0
0
106.
Onions, shallots and garlic , best collection.
Kung Thean Sung, Penang
2
0
0
0
107,
Pumpkins.
Mat Taib, Krian
2
0
0
0
108.
Radishes.
Takaya bin Haji Mohamed, Penang
2
0
0
0,
no.
Vegetables, best collection.
G. B. Cerruti, Perak
5
0
0
0
ilHf
Carried over 217 64
6
0
Class.
3S2
Division B.— Concluded.
Brought forward' 217
* * 3 * Yams, Kladi and S weet potatoes , best collection.
Alii, Penang ... ... . ^
Rung Thean Sung, Penang ... ... 0
1 r 4 - Any Vegetable not in the above .
Alii, Penang .. ,
DIVISION C.
2nd.
3rd.
Extra,
§
S
$
64
6
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
Class.
I* Bull, locally bred.
Mahomed Ariff, Penang
Puteh, Penang, (Extra)
4. Bull or Bullo k imported, Peninsular.
D. Douglas, Province Wellesley
6. Cow and Calf imported Indian.
D. Logan, Penang ...
8. Bull or Bullock , Peninsular , best.
Puteh, Penang
9. Buffalo Bull.
Lye Thoon
16, Best pen of 6 pigs
Sung Hup, Penang
Sung Leong, Penang, (Extra prize)
17* Best pig over 300 catties.
Soo Swee ... '
r 9 * Goat, Ram.
Plot bin Noh, Nibong Tebal
Kamaludin bin Haji Bahudin, Penang
20. Goat, Ewe with kids.
Plot bin Noh, Nibong Tebal
21. Sheep, Ram.
M. Gregory, Penang ...
22. Sheep, Ewe.
W. Yang Beng, Penang
25. Bantam Cock and Hen.
Mrs. D. Logan, Penang
Khoo Moh Kow, Penang
26. Malay Cock and Hen.
Law Chit Man, Penang
Penghulu Lenggong, U. Bernum
... §225
67
6
0
C.
roduce.
1st.
2nd.
3rd.
Extra.
§
3
$
$
. 20
0
0
0
. 0
0
0
10
20
0
0
0
20
0
0
0
0
10
0
- 0
15
0
0
0
0
10
0
0
0
0
0
10
0
10
0
0
to
0
0
0
0
5
0
0
10
0
0
0
10
0
0
0
TO
0
0
0
5
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
S
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
Carried over , $125
4i
20
355
Division C. — Continued .
27.
28.
30.
3*.
32 -
F33-
35-
37 *
38 .
40.
42.
43
44.
1st.
2nd.
3rd.
Extra.
%
$
%
%
Brought forward,
125
41
0
20
Malay Game Cock and Hen.
Penghulu of Pulau Tiga, Lower Perak
5
0
0
0
Haji Pachee, Penang
0
3
0
0
Collection of Malay Fowls.
W. Willis Douglas
10
0
0
0
Shaik Moh Osman, Penang
0
5
0
0
Rung Thean Sung, Penang (Extra prize) ...
0
0
0
5
Collection of Fowls, any breed.
L. E. P. Wolferstan
10
0
0
0
K. Bromhead Matthews
0
5
0
0
Braheim, Botanic Gardens, Penang (Extra prize) 0
0
0
5
Pair of Muscovy Ducks, Duck and Drake.
K. Bromhead Matthews
10
0
0
0
Jahaya bin Mat Aris, Krian
0
5
0
0
Pair of Manila Ducks.
Syed Sallim, Penang
5
0
0
0
Mustapa bin Abu Baker
0
3
0
0
Moonah, Penang (Extra prize) ...
0
0
0
3
Pair of Ducks, any breed, Duck and Drake.
H. Oathman, Butterworth
S
0
0
0
Rung Thean Sung, Penang
0
3
0
0
Gander and Goose.
Mrs. D. Logan, Penang
s
0
0
0
R, Bromhead Matthews
0
3
0
0
Pair of Guinea Fowls, Cock and Hen.
Mrs. D. Logan
5
0
0
0
Pair of Pigeons, any breed.
Mrs. D. Logan
5
0
0
0
Extra prize $3.
Penghulu Haji Salleh, P. W. (Extra prize)
0
0
0
3
Best Bird in the Show.
H. Wool
JO
0
0
0
Pair of Guinea Pigs.
J. Bromhead Matthews
5
0
0
0
Sample of Butter.
H. H. Cornelius, Penang
10
0
0
0
Geo. Stothard, Malakoff Estate
0
S
0
0
Extra prize.
Collection of Eggs, Fowls’ or Ducks’.
Awang, c/oMrs. Rate Matthews
5
0
0
0
L. E. P. Wolferstan
0
3
0
0
Haji Mohamed Sahat, Penang, (Special prize)
0
0
0
3
o
39
354
DIVISION D.
Class.
Horses and Dogs,
5 -
6 .
io.
ii.
12 .
1 st.
Polo Pony, registered 14.1 or under.
Capt. A. Me. D. Grahams “Bessie” (Cup)
Mrs. M. Suhls " Happy Chance” ( Medal )
Gentleman’s Hack, 14.2 and under.
C. R. Molyneux’s “The Friar” (Cup)
W. H. MacArthur “ Bubbles ” ( Medal )
G. H. Stitts “ Patrick ” (Cup)
Gentleman’ s Hack, over 14.2.
O. Sielckens “ Mantred ” (No second prize)
Lady's Hack over 14.2, to be shown under saddle and
ridden by a Lady.
Mrs. Jamieson’s “Nickolas” (Cup)
Mrs, J. A. Murray’s “Puritan Lass’
Lady’s Hack 14.2 and under, to be shown under saddle
and ridden by a Lady ,
Mr, M. Thornton’s “Georgina” Bracelet
Mr. MacArthur’s “Bubbles” (Medal)
Best Gharry and Pony, 14.2 and under, to be show n
in cart or carriage .
Mr. Lim Chee Siang, Medal and |ro
Mr, Hudson’s ...
Single Harness Pony 14.2 and under, to be shown in
carter carriage.
Khaw Joo Keat’s (Cup)
W. W. Douglas
Single Harness Horse over 14.2 and undei , to be
shown in cart or carriage.
Mr. H. Wool
Mr. G. H. Stitt “Patrick” ...
Registered Gharry Pony of any description: the bond
fide property of a licensed Gharry owner ( Australian
horse barred.)
No entry
Jumping Pony 14.2 and under, to be ridden over at
least four jumps.
Capt. MacIntyre, “Sadi” (Cup)
Mr. Suhls “ Happy chance ”
Jumping Horse over 14.2, to be ridden over at least
four jumps.
C. R. Molyneux « Chieftain ” (Cup)
G. H. ^Stitts “ Patrick ”
Single Turnout.
G. B. Whitehead “Billy” (Cup)
H. Wool
2nd.
10
10
10
10
3rd.
$
Carried over, $20 130
Class.
355
Division D. — Continued.
1st, 2nd. 3rd.
$ - $ $
Brought forward, 20 130 o
13. Double Turnout , of any description , pairs, tandems, etc.
Cheang Thve Pin, (Cup)
Chea Tat Toi ... o 10 p
14. Gharry Turnout, the bond fide property of a licensed
gharry owner .
No entry
Shandrydan Turnout, the bond fide ' property of a
licensed Shandrydan owner. ■
No entry
16. The best all round Horse 14.2 or over in the Show : to
be shown on the. halter.
G. H. Stitt “ Patrick ” (Cup)
17. The best all round Pony 14.2 and under to be shown on
the halter. . .
G. B. Whitehead “ Billy ” (Cup)
18.
The best Straits Settlements or Native States bred horse
or mare, any age over 12 hands.
Geo. Scothard, (Cup)
■ -
Total ...
20
140
0
DIVISION E.
-\
r : j.
Native Industries and Manufactures.
■
Class.
; 1st.
2nd.
3rd.
. r - « ’
$
$
$
1.
Ornamental Baskets.
■ .1 ■ ’
Mahani bin Mamud, Malacca ...
10
0
.6 :
Penghulu of Bandar, Lower Perak ...
■0
5
0
2.
Lace work \biku)
Penghulu Baba Pringgit, Malacca
10
0
0 :
Mohamed Kassim
0
S
0
3 -
heather work.
Haji Salam, Penang ...
10
0
0
4 -
Rope and Twine.
: %
r.
]. Abrams, Penang ...
ao
0
0
Penghulu of Pulau Tiga, Lower Perak
0
5
.G>2
5 -
Tali Ijok.
Noodin bin Kali, Malacca ... .
10
0
O
Penghulu of Bachang, Malacca .
0
■ 5 -
0
6.
At taps.
r *. "Z
c
Penghulu of Kota Stia, Lower Perak
10
0
O
Penghulu of T. Baharu, Lower Perak
■ 0
5
O
7 -
Kajangs.
-■
Penghulu of Pulau Tiga, Lower-Perak ...
10
0
0
c
Penghulu of T. Baharu, Lower Perak
0
5
O
Carried over $70
30
o
Class.
8 .
356
Division E.— Continued.
Brought forward,
10.
13
14.
15 -
16.
1 7.
18.
19.
20 .
21 .
22 .
22 -
Chicks.
D Mohamed Noor, Penang
Arifin, Penang
Mats.
L. Daud. Krian
PengKulu Jaffar, Malacca
Mats Rot an,
Asin, Krian ...
Malay Mats ( Padanus .)
Haji Mohamed Sahaat, Penang
Haji Mohamed Rasaid, Penang
Hats .
Haji Salam, Penang
Penghulu of Bagan Dato, Lower Perak ...
Brushes and Brooms,
Shaik Hossain, Penang
D. Mohamed Noor, Penang
Coco-Nut Palms, Collection of articles
manufactured from.
Mohamed Akib, Butterworth
Muntri Tengah, Malacca
Kabong ( arenga .)
Kulop Mohamed Ali, Kuala Kangsa ...
Nibong.
No Prize
Sir eh apparatus set.
Mohamed Hussein, Province Wellesley ...
Haji Mohamed Salleh, Negri Sembilan ...
Said (Special prize)
Model Malay House.
Kwala Muda, c/o A, D. Neubronner ...
Kulop Lotan, Kuala Kangsa
Model Fishing stakes.
Penghulu Yusof, Malacca
Lebei Sidik, Butterworth
Model Snares and Traps.
Ahmad bin Mohamed Taib, Butterworth
D. Mohamed Noor, Penang
Wood carving 1 piece,
Penghulu H. Mohamed Akib, Krian
Penghulu Abdul Majid, Selangor
L, E. P. Wolferstan (Special prize)
Embroidery 1 piece.
Malay Art School, Kuala Kargsa
Penghulu Dol C. Bidin, Malacca
Sarong Silk.
Mohamed Yatim, Kuala Kangsa
Shaik Mohamed, Penang
1st.
%
2nd.
8
3rd
$
70
30
0
10
0
0
0
5
0
10
0
0
0
5
0
10
0
0
10
0
0
0
5
0
10
0
0
0
5
0
io
0
0
10
O
0
0
5
0
10
0
0
10
0
0
0
5
0
0
5
0
10
0
0
0
5
0
10
0
0
O
5
0
IO
0
0
O
5
0
IO
5
0
0
5
0
0
5
0
IO
0
0
0
S
0
10
0
0
0
5
0
$ 220
no
0
*
357
Division E. — Continued.
ist.
2nd.
3rd.
$
%
$
Brought forward,
220
IIO
0
24.
Sarong cotton.
Mad Saman, Kuala Kangsa ...
10
0
0
Moh ArsRat, Butterworth
0
S
0
25.
Brass ware ,
Narayanasamy Pillai, Penang
10
0
0
Haji Mohamed Sahid, Penang
0
S
0
Silver ware.
Chas. G. Garrard, Malacca ...
10
0
0
To Gampar Maharaja Zacharia, Negri Sembilan
0
5
0
27.
Tin ware.
■
Lam Chay, Negri Sembilan ...
10
0
0
Kwan Fun, Negri Sembilan ...
0
5
0
28.
Krisses sheaths and knife handles.
To Gampar Maharaja, Negri Sembilan ...
10
0
0
Koo Aim K. Kudam, Penang
0
5
0
29.
Fishing Nets.
Haji Mustapa, Penang
10
0
0
Bakar Bin Omar, Butterworth
0
5
0
30.
Sakei articles.
G. B. Cerruti, Perak, Medal and Diploma
10
0
0
Pan Dewa Sakti, Batang Padang, Perak
0
5
0
3 *-
Collection of photographs illustrating native life
or industries.
No Prize
32.
Miscellaneous.
H. Mohamed, Penang ... #
10
0
0
Kuala Muda, c/o A. D, Neubronner ...
0
5
0
Total ...
300
150
0
DIVISION E.
SECTION I.
Native Industries and Manufactures confined to Competitors
front, Schools of the Colony and Malay Peninsula.
Class.
1.
Larut
Malay hand -made Pottery.
1st.
%
10
2nd.
%
0
3 rd *
$
0
Krian
... 0
5
0
2.
Lower -Perak
Ornamental Baskets.
10
0
0
Upper Perak
...
0 '
5
0
3 -
Krian
Malay Mats (Pandanus).
10
0
0
Kuala Kangsa
...
... 0
5
0
<>llb 7
15
Carried over $30
358
Class.
4 *
5 -
No Prize
Division ^—Section I. — Continued .
Sir eh Apparatus, set .
I St.
2nd.
3^.
$
%
$
30
15
0
13 -
Kuala Kangsa
Krian
—
10
... 0
0
5
(.
c
Krian
Model, Fishing Stakes.
... 10
0
c
Matang
■ ■■
.« 0
5
G
Larut
Wood carving.
... 10
0
0
Kinta
... ... ...
... 0
5
' 0
Lower Perak
Embroidery.
... 10
0
0
Kuala Kangsa
...
... 0
5
0
Krian
Sarong, silk.
... 10
0
0
Matang
...
... 0
5
0
Krian
Sarong, cotton.
... 10
0
0
Lower Perak
... ... ...
... 0
5
0
Larut
Snares, etc., collection.
10
0
0
Krian
...
... 0
5
0
Lower Perak
Fishing Nets.
10
0
0
Kuala Kangsa
Miscellaneous.
... 12
0
0
Kuala Kangsa
...
0
5
0
Total ... 122
55
0
DIVISION F.
Agricultural Implements and Miscellaneous.
Class.
■ 1 .
Padi Implements ( Collection ).
Abdulrahman bin Md. Said, Nibong Tebal
Md, Kassim, Extra prize
Penghulu of Pulau Tiga, Lower Perak ... ...
Agricultural Implements, other than for Padi or Rubber ,
locally made .
Khamis, Butterworth ...
Penghulu Yusof, Malacca, Extra prize , , ...
Md. Kassim, Penang
Agricultural Implements, European made.,
McAlister & Co., Penang
ist.
$
io
o
.10
o
2nd.
Carried over, $30
20
359
Division F. — Continued.
Class.
7 •
1 st.
Brought forward
*
30
4 -
Bullock Cart.
McAlister & Co., Penang
10
5 -
Hand Cart.
No Prize
6 .
Building Bricks.
Penghulu Indut, Kuala Kangsa
10
Penghulu Indut, Kuala Kangsa, Extra prize ...
0
Tan Ong Peng, (Extra prize)
0
C/o H. C. Sells, Nibong Tebal
0
7 -
Roofing Tiles.
Penghulu Indut, Kuala Kangsa
10
Tan Choon Lean, Butterworth
0
Penghulu Shaik Yabya, Extra
. 0
8.
Flooring Tiles.
Tan Ong Peng, Kuala Kangsa, Medal ...
. 10
Caledonia Estate. Province Wellesley ...
. 0
9 -
Malay hand -made Pottery ,
Abdul Wahid, Krian
10
Penghulu of Pulau Tiga, Lower Perak ...
. 0
10.
Fancy Pottery.
Malay Art School, Kuala Kangsa
10
Penghulu of Pulau Tiga, Lower Perak ...
0
ii.
Agricultural Baskets ,
Syed Ali, Penang
10
Mukin Ijok, Perak
. 0
12.
Casks, Tubs , etc.
Penghulu Yusof, Malacca ... ... ..
. 10
I 3 -
Carriages four wheels , Phaeton or Waggonette.
C. Chin Seng, Penang, Medal
10
14.
Carriages, four wheels, Landau or Victoria.
C, Chin Seng, Penang, Medal
. 10
IS-
Carriages, two wheels with hood.
No entries
16.
Carriages, two wheels without hood.
C. Chin Seng, Penang, Medal
.. 10
17.
Flower Pots , sixes from 2 in. to 18 in. diameter.
Bagan Dalam Chetty, Butterworth ... ...
1. 10
Minagapa, Butterworth
1. 0
18.
Garden Furniture, Garden Seats,
No Entry
19.
Garden Furn iture, Arbours, trellis work, etc.
No Prize
20.
Hack Gharry .
C. Chin Seng, Penang, Medal
10
21.
Hack Gharry, Improved Construction.
No Prizes
Carried over
$160
bhbt
2nd.
.$
20
O
O
O
5
5
o
5
o
5
o
S
o
5
o
o
0
o
70
(n Oi tn
360
Division F, —Continued.
3
$
Brought forward, 160
70
22.
Shandridan ( two wheel Gharry .)
C. Chin Seng, Penang, Medal
10
0
Mat, Penang
0
s
23 .
Shandridan, Improved Construction.
No Prizes
24
Best Exhibit of mining implements.
No Prizes
25 -
Miscellaneous.
Mahmud, Penang
... 10
0
Hassim bin Kadir
0
5
Penghulu Haji Mohamed, Extra
... 0
5
Total ... 180
~5
$
Division A.
917 OO
Do. B .
298 OO
Do. C.
330 OO
Do. D.
140 OO
Do. E .
450 OO
Do. E. Section 1.
177 OO
Do. F.
265 OO
Grand Total ...
2,577 00
W. FOX,
Honorary General Secretary.
AGRICULTURAL SHOW, PENANG, 1905
DIPLOMAS WERE AWARDED
TO THE FOLLOWING!
lvxf. Norris
„ Pryor
,, Chong Kim On
Caledonia Estate
Mr. Kon Lean Seng
„ A. C. Hardouin
,, Rung Thean Sung
„ Bailey
„ E. B. Prior
„ E. B. Prior
,, Haji Hamid
„ D. Logan
Malakoff Estate
Penghulu Che Puteh
Gapis Estate x
Division A.
For
Arrowroot.
Copra Sun-dried.
Nutmegs.
Dry Indigo.
1 )
Mace.
If
Essential Oil.
II
Turmeric.
H
Rubber class ( 54 )
Rubber (Rambong)
Coconuts, best Coll
99
Sugar (Coconut)
Cotton “ Kapas”
II
Tapioca, flake.
99
Padi, any variety.
99
Division B.
Pepper, white.
Mr. Hamid Ampagan ... For
„ Khoo Joo Tok ... „
,, Coates ... i)
Penghulu Mat Hassan ... ,,
Mr. Machado ... ... ,,
,, Tan Poh Guan ... ... „
„ D. Logan ... ... „
Division E.
Preserved fruits.
Palms.
Avocado pears.
Watermelons.
Lemons.
Binjai.
Collection of Fruits.
Mr. L. E. P. Wolferstan
„ Chas. Garrard ...
Mahanib Mamat
Penghulu Baba, Pringgit
Noodin bin Kali
Asiah
Mohamed Akib
Penghulu Dol
Rajah Bila
Moh. Yatim
Narayanasamy Pillai
To Gampar Maharaja Zacharia
Lam Chay
Kwan Fun
Mustapa
Haji Mustapa
Mr. G. B. Cerruti ...
Major De Hamel ...
For Wood Carving.
„ Silver Ware.
„ Ornamental Baskets.
„ Lace work.
,, Tali Ijok.
„ Hats.
„ Coconut Palms, Coll :
„ Embroidery.
Do.
„ Sarongs, Silk.
„ Brassware.
,, Silverware.
„ Tinware.
„ Do.
„ Kriss handles.
„ Fishing Nets.
„ Sakai Articles.
„ Miscellaneous exhibits.
Division, Section i } Schools only.
S. Krian School
L. Perak School
*“ ^or Ornamental Baskets.
*•* »» Embroider'
Division F
W. R. Swan
For Machinery in connection with
Tapping and preparing rub-
ber.
i» Roofing Tiles.
Caledonia Estate
W. FOX,
H onorary General Secretary.
3 %
WATER AND ITS RELATIONS TO
PLANT LIFE.
Of the various factors affecting plant life, none is more important
than water. Without water there can be no life, though the
amount necessary to bring about full development varies very
considerably ’in different plants. As the conditions under which
plants live are not constant, we find a corresponding variation in the
manner in which they have adapted themselves to the varying con-
ditions ; thus while some plants such as pine-apples, cacti and othe -
drsert plants may lie uprooted and exposed to the. sun for weeks
without suffering any injury, others such as aquatics are quickly
killed by exposure to a moderately dry atmosphere.
Water forms the chief constituent of living plants, amounting to
no less than 96 per cent, of the total weight in the case of succu-
lents, and, among other important functions is indispensable as a
medium for the transportation and introduction into the plant, of
the nutrient substances occurring in the soil : the whole of the pknt
food obtained from the soil entering the plant through this medium,
while its elements — hydrogen and oxygen — also enter into the
various organic compounds of plant life.
A large amount of the water taken up by the roots from the soil
is retained by the plant; though a still larger quantity is transpired
through the leaves, the various salts and other substances held in
suspension being deposited in the plant. The actual quantity of
water evaporated by the leaves is enormous ; it has been calculated
for example, that a well developed Birch tree standing perfectly
free, would lose by evaporation on a hot dry day over 400 litres of
water. An ordinary field crop transpires about 300 lbs. of water for
each pound of drv matter produced ; so that in the case of an acre of
marigolds yielding say 30 tons at harvest, and containing 88 per
cent, of water, the amount of water transpired during growth would
be no less than 1,080 tons per acre. The amount of. water trans-
pired by hops during growth, reaches from 3-4,000.000 litres per acre.
In the British Isles, this represents more than half the total an-
nual rainfall, so that when we consider that a large percentage of
the rain runs straight off the ground and is lost to the plant, and
that a further quantity is lost by evaporation from the soil, we shall
see how, even in a humid climate, the available water supply may
easily fall below the amount necessary to bring about maximum
development. This is equally true of the tropics, where the loss due
to evaporation is much greater than in temperate regions, and
where, owing to the amount of rainfall in a given time being rela-
tively greater than in countries beyond the equatorial zone, the loss
of water to the plant through the water running straight off the
ground is considerably higher : this however is counteracted to some
extent by the heavier annual rainfall. We thus see the value of
,f shade trees’-' on newly cleared and planted ground, which by
breaking the force of the rain, and by lessening the amount of
evaporation due to direct insolation, tend to increase the amount of
water available for the plant.
Other conditions being equal, it may be regarded as a fact that
water plays a more important part in determining the yield of a
crop, than manure or any other essential of plant life; and one has
only to compare the growth and returns from coffee and other pro-
ducts grown on hill and alluvial soil respectively, or of padi grown
on dry and on irrigated land, to see how true this is of this part of
the tropics. r
The whole of the plant food obtained from the soil must enter
the plant in a liquid state, as it is only in this condition that it -
pass through the cell walls ; and as the watery fluid taken up by the
roots contains but a very minute quantity of plant food, the plant is
compelled to take up more water than is necessary for its imme-
diate requirements, in order to secure a sufficient quantity of the
various salts and oxides which are held in solution. The surplus
water thus absorbed, simply as a medium for the transportation of
the plant food, is transpired through the leaves, and, though to a
less extent, through the stem and other parts of the plant : thus a
current of water known as the transpiration current is maintained,
fresh supplies passing into the plant through the roots, and passing
up through the wood cavities, to make good the loss due to trans-
piration. If for any reason the supply of water is insufficient to
compensate for the loss due to transpiration, the plant wilts ; and it
is due to this fact that a cut branch withers and dies.
Transpiration is promoted by numerous small openings in the
epidermis of the leaves, known as stomata. These stomata are
most generally found on the under surface of the leaf, though in
some plants where the leaves are placed more or less vertically, as
in the Yucca, they occur in about equal numbers on both the under
and the upper surface. These pores though very minute, are
usually present in enormous numbers; it being estimated that
160,000 occur within the space of a square inch of the under sur-
face ..of the leaf of the Lilac ; while an ordinary Sunflower leaf is
provided with no less than 13,000,000.
It win be seen therefore, that though the stomata are so minute
that liquid water cannot pass through them, evaporation in the
form of a watery vapour is greatly facilitated, owing to the enor-
mous numbers in which they occur ; a large number of small open-
ings being much more effective than a small number of large ones.
The amount of transpiration however, can be regulated, and
where the external conditions are such that active transpiration
would be injurious to the plant, the stomata can be closed and
transpiration thereby checked ; each stoma being provided by two
guard cells which, when acted upon by various stimuli, have the
power of closing the pore.
(To be continued.)
STANLEY ARDEN,
Superintendent, Experimental Plantations ,
S e la n go r .
365
RUBBER IN SARAWAK.
The first Rubber trees planted in Sarawak were from seed im-
ported from the Botanic Gardens, Singapore, in 1881, by the Right
Reverend Bishop Hose, and were almost, if not quite, the first seed
produced by the old trees, which as seedlings were obtained from
Kew in 1875. One of these trees is still standing in the Bishop’s
garden at Kuching and two more in the garden of the Resident.
The" former measures 6 feet 4 inches in girth at three feet from the
ground and the others are nearly as large. The remainder of the
trees have .disappeared.
. could not find that any more were planted in this district till
about five years ago, when a small number were planted in the
Coffee Estate on the slopes of Mount Matang. This hill consists
exclusively of sandstone, and the soil on the slopes is very sandy
with masses of rock and boulders scattered over it. It has for some
time been planted with coffee, ted, rubbers and Mauritius hemp
(. Fourcroya ). The soil is hardly suitable for cultivation, but the Tea
and Coffee are still kept up and worked. The Mauritius hemp
seems the only plant in cultivation which thrives. The Para Rub-
ber trees, now five years old, are about the size of what one expects
of two year old plants or less, though perhaps a little thicker at
the base. Ficus eiastica does a little better at the base of the hill,
but many of the plants looked burnt and sickly higher up. Ceara
Rubber seemed worst of all, one would have thought that this plant
if any rubber plant would have thriven in the sterile sandy soil of
this hill slope, but it was wretched. Many of the trees had fallen,
others remained as dead stumps, or if alive bore only -a few strug-
gling leafy branches. One may conclude perhaps, safely, that if
this sandy desert plant will not grow on these sandy sterile slopes
here, it cannot be expected to succeed in other parts of the Malay
region. Round Kuching, in the Cemetery and along the roads, a
good many Para rubber trees have been planted lately, and seem
to be doing fairly well, though it is too soon yet to form an opinion
of them.
I visited the plantations at Perak where Mr. BALLINGALL kindly
showed me what had been done. The rubber plantation, an exten-
sive area, was on sandy hills with steep slopes, and was planted up
with a large number of young plants. These in the lower damper
spots were making very fair growth. But in some spots by the
streams which looked at first sight favourable, the plants had utterly
failed. Examination of the soil showed these spots were remarkably
sandy, confirming the opinion that Para rubber dislikes sandy soil
more than any other. On the tops of the hill ridges again the
young plants were obviously suffering from the wind to which they
were exposed. On a few slopes the plants though protected from
wind, and in fairly good soil appeared also not to thrive. This I
believe was due to underground water currents, especially as in one
or two of these slopes springs ran out at the base.
Many people probably know that isolated trees on hill slopes
366
usually do not thrive as well if they grow at all, as those at the top
and bottom of the slopes. This appears to be due to the action of
underground water currents which interfere with the growth or
action of roots. &
T^ e £[ eater P art of the hills of Sarawak, at least that portion
which I have seen, are sandstone or limestone, and a great area of
the diluvium of the lower country is therefore very savidy But the
Lundu Hills which I visited are granitic, composed of a fine-grained
granite. Below the base of the hills is a flat open plain of consi-
derable size, formerly cultivated with Tobacco. The soil here is
less sandy and more argillaceous, with sandy mounds or small h ; lls
scattered about it. . This seemed to be the most suitable ground for
Para rubber I saw in Sarawak, and it is here that Mr. MoiR has
secured a concession for rubber planting. The soil is fairly dry
and full of humus for a considerable depth. A good deal of pepper
has been planted here on the sandier spots. Another likely spot is
along the Kuching River near Santubong, I had not time to visit
this but heard that somewhere here Chinese were planting Para-
rubber. &
H. N. RIDLEY.
REGISTER OP RAINFALL AT NEGRI
SEMBILAN HOSPITALS, FOR JULY, 1905.
Date.
Seremban.
K. Pilah.
Tampin.
Jelebu.
Port
Dickson.
Mantin.
In.
dcs.
In.
dcs.
In._
dcs.
In.
dcs.
In.
dcs.
In.
dcs.
1
73
60
30
95
08
48
2
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
3
...
...
10
...
...
...
08
64
4
I
30
...
05
...
...
10
1
85
31
S
...
...
...
I
30
...
...
...
...
6
1
42
20
...
60
...
27
...
47
7
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
57
8
...
...
...
55
...
...
15
...
9
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
10
...
03
80
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
11
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
12
...
...
...
...
...
o 5
...
...
29
13
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
14
1
62
...
10
1
10
05
...
68
42
IS
...
...
...
...
60
10
1
55
45
16
...
80
...
30
2
00
...
76
35
17
...
1
45
03
18
...
3 1
...
10
42
...
79
19
39
...
20
2
20
43
1
86
10
20
1
10
I
OS
2
95
S 2
...
8 5
66
21
...
...
...
...
...
1
29
02
22
21
...
Si
10
...
15
28
23
1
42
...
10
12
...
75
08
24
...
30
...
IS
...
25
...
!3
12
28
26
...
...
05
...
...
...
27
...
...
...
...
28
23
...
...
...
°9
...
29
...
OS
...
02
...
...
...
...
30
...
...
...
60
...
02
...
...
...
3 i
...
...
...
...
...
...
Total
9
61
4
00
12
83
3
99
10
98
7
22
State Surgeon’s Office, R. VAN GEYZEL,
Seremban, llth August, 1905. Apothecary,
368
SINGAPORE MARKET REPORT.
August , 1905.
Articles.
Quantity
sold.
Y Highes
price.
t Lowest
price.
Coffee — Palembang
1 Tons.
1
o 5 *.
$ e.
q uotation
Bali -
76
22.00
22.00
Liberian
132
24.50
22.50
Copra
- 4,756
7*5°
6.80
Gambier
- L95 2
9. 00
j 8.50
Cube Gambier, Nos. 1 & 2
221
I2 -75
11.50
Gutta Percha, 1st quality -
300.00
1 150.00
Medium
...
200.00
I 90.00
Lower
...
80.00
j 12.00
Borneo Rubber 1, 2, and 3
142.00
92.00
Gutta Jelutong
. . .
7-i2$
6-35
Nutmegs, No. 11 o's
. . .
37-oo
35.00
No. 8o's
. . .
61.00
58.00
Mace, Banda
...
0
q
C''»
CO
78.00
Ambovna
...
57.00
55.00
Pepper, Black -
658 1
29.00
28.00
White (Sarawak)-
537
39-i 2 ^
38-37
1
2
Pearl Sago, Small
10
4.62!
Medium
• • •
...
...
Large
...
...
Sago Flour, No. 1
2,865
3- 2 5
3.02
1
2
No. 2
35
.90
.90
Flake Tapioca, Small
4 66
7- 2 5
5-65'
Medium
20
No q
lotation
Q
o'
tn
Pearl Tapioca, Small
238
6.00
5-05
5'
Hh
Medium
308
6.721
5-30
P
Bullet -
35
7- 2 5
6.25J
Tin -
1,635 J
86.87^
82.87!
Export Telegram to Europe and America.
Fortnight ending 15th August, 1905.
Wired at 4 p.m. on 16th August, 1905.
Tons.
Tin
Str.
Singapore and Penang to United Kingdom &/or
2,025
Do.
Jt
Do.
U. S. A.
860
Do.
Do.
Continent
290
Gambler
It
Singapore
Glasgow
...
Do.
”
Do.
London
...
Do.
Do.
Liverpool
100
Do.
t)
Do.
U. K. &/or Continent
75
Cube Gambier
Do.
United Kingdom
55
Black Pepper
J)
Do.
Do.
...
Do.
ft
Penang
Do.
...
White Pepper
J t
Singapore
Do.
55
Do.
Penang
Do.
...
Pearl Sago
»
Singapore
Do.
5
Sago Flour
ft
Do.
London
160
Do.
Do.
Liverpool
900
Do.
»
Do.
Glasgow
75
Tapioca Flake
tt
Singapore & Penang
United Kingdom
250
T. Pearl & Bullets
Do.
Do.
280
Tapioca Flour
>1
Penang
Do.
280
Gutta Percha
„
Singapore
Do.
75
Buffalo Hides
f}
Do.
Do.
70
Pineapples
ft
Do.
Do. cases
34.50°
Gambier
JJ
Do.
U. S. A.
900
Cube Gambier
♦ 1
Do.
Do.
140
Black Pepper
It
Do.
Do.
500
Do.
„
Penang
Do.
310
White Pepper
ft
Singapore
Do.
180
Do.
ft
Penang
Do.
...
T. Flake & Pearl
)>
Singapore & Penang
Do.
575
Nutmegs
„
Do.
Do.
71
Sago Flour
„
Singapore
Do.
45o
Pineapples
II
Do.
Do. cases 4,250
Do.
Jl
Do.
Continent „
1,000
Gambier
1 )
Do.
S, Continent
...
Do.
y 1
Do.
N. Continent
225
Cube Gambier
i )
Do.
Continent
55
Black Pepper
it
Do.
S. Continent
35
Do.
Do.
N. Continent
5o
Do.
it
Penang
S. Continent
Do.
it
Do.
N. Continent
...
White Pepper
11
Singapore
S. Continent
10
Do.
t)
Do.
N. Continent
70
Do.
t r
Penang
S. Continent
Do.
Do.
N. Continent
...
Copra
ft
Singapore & Penang
Marseilles
560
Do.
.11
Do.
Odessa
...
Do.
tr
Do.
Other South Continent
200
Do.
ft
Do.
N. Continent
3.420
Sago Flour
ft
Do.
Continent
950
Tapioca Flake
ft
Singapore & Penang
Do.
45
Do. Pearl
ft
Do.
Do,
420
370
Copra
Str.
Singapore
England
Gambier
Sir.
Do.
U. S. A.
Cube Gambier
Do.
Do.
T. Flake and Pearl
>j
Do.
Do.
Sago Flour
tt
Do.
Do.
Gambier
ft
Do.
S. Continent
Copra
j)
Do.
Marseilles
Black Pepper
Do.
S. Continent
White Pepper
ft
Do.
Do.
Do.
it
Do.
U. S. A.
Pineapples
n
Do.
Do.
Nutmegs
I*
Do.
Do.
Black Pepper
n
Do.
Do.
Do.
it
Penang
Do.
White Pepper
ft
Do.
Do.
T. Flake & Pearl
J*
Do.
Do.
Nutmegs
ti
Do.
Do.
600 tons Gambier 1 „
375 „ Black Pepper ) Contracts ’
Export Telegram to Europe and America.
Wired at 3.15
Tin
Fortnight ending 31 st August, 1905,
p.m. pn 1st September, 1905.
Str. Singapore & Penang to United Kingdom &/or
Tons.
1,3“
Do.
ft
Do.
U. S. A.
740
Do.
Do.
Continent
526
Gambier
Singapore
Glasgow
Do.
1 1
• Do.
London
-
Do.
Do.
Liverpool
...
Do.
Do.
U. K. &/ or Continent
175
Cube Gambier
J)
Do.
United Kingdom ■
2 5
Black Pepper
It
Do.
Do.
70
Do.
,,
Penang
Do.
White Pepper
tt
Singapore
Do.
90
Do.
it
Penang
Do.
Pearl Sago
Singapore
Do.
...
Sago Flour
it
Do.
London
i75
Do.
t)
Do.
Liverpool
Do.
„
Do.
Glasgow
...
Tapioca Flake
tt
Singapore & Penang
United Kingdom
240
T. Pearl & Bullets
it
Do.
Do.
J 75
Tapioca Flour
Penang
Do.
575
Gutta Percha
ti
Singapore
Do.
35
Buffalo Hides
«i
Do.
Do.
40
Pineapples
Do,
Do, cases
5, 2 5o
Gambier
Do.
U. S. A.
775
Cube Gambier
it
Do.
Do.
65
Black Pepper
Do.
Do.
600
Do.
a
^enang
Do.
180
White Pepper
tf
Singapore
Do,
100
Do.
1
Penang
Do.
20
T. Flake & Pearl
it
Singapore & Penang
Do.
550
Nutmegs
it
Do.
Do.
25
Sago Flour
11
Singapore
Do.
210
37 i
i
Tons.
Pineapples
Str.
Singapore
To U. S. A.
cases 4,250
Do.
))
Do.
Continent
.. 1.250
Gambier
11
Dc.
S. Continent
So
Do.
II
Do.
N. Continent
125
Cube Gambier
Do.
Continent
75
Black Pepper
,,
Do.
S. Continent
140
Do.
Jf
Do.
N. Continent
5 o
Do.
Penang
S. Continent
30
Do.
y)
Do.
N. Continent
...
White Pepper
„
Singapore
S. Continent
10
Do.
,,
Do.
N. Continent
260
Do.
„
Penang
S. Continent
...
Do.
,,
Do.
N. Continent
10
Copra
Singapore & Penang
Marseilles
1050
Do.
„
Do.
Odessa
560
Do.
it
Do.
Other S. Continent
760
Do.
n
Do.
N. Continent
1,025
Sago Flour
„
Singapore
Continent
43 o
Tapioca Flake
„
Singapore & Penang
Do.
7; 230
Do. Pear] !
>>
Do.
Do.
160
Copra
Singapore
England
...
Gambier
Sir.
Do.
U. S. A.
...
Cube Gambier
If
Do.
Do.
....
T. Flake & Pearl
1}
Do.
Do.
■■ ...
Sago Flour
if
Do.
Do.
, m t
Gambier
))
Do.
S. Continent
...
Copra
1#
Do.
Marseilles
. . •
Black Pepper
Do.
S. Continent
White Pepper
n
Do.
Do.
• • »
Do.
jj
Do.
U. S. A.
Pineapples
J#
Do.
Do.
Nutmegs
<Do.
Do.
Black Pepper
1 j
Do.
Do.
Do.
,,
Penang
Do.
* ■ - ■
White Pepper
,,
Do.
Do.
T. Flake & Pearl
ii
Do.
Do.
Nutmegs
>1
Do.
Do.
'
i ,700 tons Gambier 1
550 „ Black Pepper J
1
| '
Contracts.
Singapore.
A bstract «f Meteorological Readings for the month of August,
I9O5.
District.
Kandang Kerbau Hospital Observatory ...
13
&
0)
Sur
a
.a
CQ
Ih
ct 5
a
b
CQ .
g
Q
a -5
—
c
X
cd
CTJ
<0
s
s
Ins.
°F.
°F.
29-901
1387
b
00
Temperature.
a
s
a
*9
°F.
88'6
°F.
74‘6
Hygrometer.
oi
°F.
14*0
Kandang Kerbau Hospital Observatory,
Singapore, i 9 th September , 1905.
A. B. LEICESTER,
Meteorological Observer,
°F.
779
Ins.
’895
On
&
CJ
Q
a
3
x
Q
bo
°F %
76 0 I go
S.E.
S.W.S
Ins.
4-58
£
u
Ins.
I 06
K. McDowell,
Principal Civil Medical Officer , S.
OJ
Penang.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings in the Prison Observatory for the month of August , icjog.
a
0>
Ui
a
Temperature.
Hygrometer.
c/i
nd
c
>-
3
0
J3
\
cn
<d
c
O
CM
bO
•
CL
Cfl
0
c
District.
Barometrical
Fah.
.s
s
s
cd
A
3
1-1
O
%
S
3
g
'k
rj
S
s
a
6
‘S
s
Range.
£
3
m*
4 )
&
<d
H
3
0
a.
cd
>
c
'0
CL
£
CD
a
Humidity.
O
M 3
O
<D
u
5
tuo
c
3
3
03
P4
3
c
'cd
C4
4 -J
c n
-
C 0
Cd ~
(P CO
s
c
cd
<D
a
cd
1)
§
cd
1)
IS
c
cd
0)
Mean
3
cd
1)
s
C
cd
1)
IS
c
Cd
CD
s
Mean
cd
>
4 )
v-
PL
”75
cd
4)
u
O
Ins.
°F
°F
°F
°F
op
°F
°F
°F
%
Ins.
Ins.
Criminal Prison Observatory ...
29*885
1483
sO
6
00
00
so
Oo
74-0
1 5'3
1
75’4
•781
7°'45
70
s.
476
O 86
C olonial Surgeon’s Office. M. E. SCRIVEN, S. LUCY,
PENANG, i 6 th September ; 1905. Assistant Surgeon. Acting Colonial Surgeon , Penang.
Malacca.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings for the month of August,
Colonial Surgeon's Office,
Malacca, 19 th September , 1905.
F- B. CROUCHER,
Colonial Surgeon, Malacca.
Perak.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings in the various Districts of the State for the month of August , 190$.
District.
Mean Barometrical
Pressure at 3 2° Fah.
Maximum in Sun.
Temperature.
Hygrometer.
Prevailing Direction of
Winds.
Total Rainfall.
Greatest Rainfall during
24 hours.
Mean Dry Bulb.
Maximum.
Minimum.
Range.
Mean Wet Bulb.
i
Vapour Tension.
Dew Point.
Humidity.
Taiping
153
83-06
94
7 i
23
77*39
864
77
...
8-31
i *99
Kuala Kangsar
• • «
8i'o6
93
7 i
22
75-78
822
77
...
6-36
r8o
Batu Gajah
159
81-57
95
7 1
24
77-52
890
83
9-05
3*20
Gopeng
80-90
94
68
26
75*74
823
78
...
5-61
1*36
Ipoh
80-75
96
73
23
76-55
859
82
...
5*03
1*14
Kampar
- . .
...
69
...
• .. •
...
12*11
2 '74
Teluk Anson
...
81-51
92
70
22
76-91
864
81
6*30
1*92
Tapah
80-79
92
69
23
75 ' 9 °
832
80
12-54
296
Parit B untar
82-66
93
72
21
7 T l °
857
77
...
3*44
1*47
Bagan Serai
• • •
82*15
93
70
23
76-95
857
78
4*90
178
Selama
...
•M,
82*18
91
70
21
77*13
865
...
79
...
10-36
3 * 3 *
State Surgeon's Office, M. J. WRIGHT,
Taiping, i 2th September, 1905. State Surgeon.
Selangor,
Abstract of Meteorological Readings in the various Districts of the State for the month of August, , 9 o 5 .
etrical
2 ° Fah.
e
3
C/3
Temperature.
Hygrometer.
c
0
-
District.
| Mean Barom
Pressure at 3:
c
S
|
'B
rtf
s
Mean
Dry Bulb.
| Maximum.
Minimum. ,
Range.
Mean
Wet Bulb.
Vapour
Tension.
Dew Point.
1
Humidity.
Prevailing Direc
of Winds.
rotal Rainfall.
Greatest Rainfal
during 24 hours
GcnerAl Hospiial, Kuala Lumpur
Pudoh Gaol Hospital
District Hospital ”
»» Klang
*» Kuala Langat
11 Kajang
" Kuala Selangor
*> Kuala Kubu
»■ Serendah
. » Rawang ...
Ben-beri Hospital, Jeram
Sabah Bernam
29-886
i 5 °‘i
4-
79'4
89- 4
8*77
87- 3
899
91*6
90- 4
88- 9
70'o
709
73 7
71-7
71-9
75 -o
70-4
! 9‘4
16*8
13.6
182
197
154
18-4
.
76-0
0-833
737
83
:::
Calm.
;;;
7 - 59
4-29
S ’45
5‘57
6-74
6-8o
7'ii
12-38
6-98
6-84
8- 87
2-45
2-58
2-31
i’8o
2-30
2 m 6y
T *34
1-70
5*37
1-24
1 ’24
323
0-90
State Surgeon’s Office,
Kuala Lumpur, i 8th September , 1905. E * A - O. TRAVERS,
State Surgeon , Selangor.
'N«
' Muar,
A bstrad of M eteovological Readings for the month of August, 1905,
Muar, 11 th September, 1905, ROGER PEARS.
The Duff Development Company, Limited, Kelantan.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings for the month of August , i 9 o 5 .
District.
Kuala Lebir
Ulu Liang
Kuala Kelantan
Surgeon’s Office,
\^th Sept ember , 1905.
Temperature.
Rainfall.
U
T3
— :
75 „
^ VJ
a
p
s
Minimum.
1
. ^
a
ry
'i!
'S3
s
Range
75
0
E-
rt ^
0) ,S
ll ^
0
Mean.
°E
Mean.
°F
Mean.
°F
Inches.
Inches.
89-0
70*6
183
5-86
r 4 [
2-01
^ 88*o
70-8
17-1
12-36
86-5
73’3
13-2
3 ’ 4 8
•08
JOJJISf H. GIMLETTE,
Surgeon .
meteorological observations.
Table Showing the Daily Results of the Reading of Meteorological Observations taken
at the General Hospital, Seremban, for the Month of July, 1905.
Temperature of radiation.
1 Temperature of
radiation.
Wind.
Temperature
of evaporation.
Computed
vapour tension.
Relative
humidity.
1
Clouds 0 to 10.
Cloud
and weather
direction.
Rain.
j
1
C
P -
4 )
'O .
rt c
^ O
Direction.
'
-
Date.
■ r*
I
V) 0
0*3
CO
j
9
15
! e
0
G -5
g-g
9
i 15
9
15
9
i 5
9
15
9
15
21
9
*5
21
I
H
H
c
a
0
c
3
g
•5
! d
w>
a
c
CD
^ %
tn
LTi
2 ■:
H
! H
H
H
s
rS
<U
H
H
a
fid
0
H
H
c
ctf
V
H
H
H
H
H
H
cn
oj
0
£
i
■ o?
Q
U
O
5 -
i
£
£
£
c
O
O
O
0
0
a
0
O
0
0
O
0
in.
in.
in.
0
0
0
1
80
77
78-5
85
73
: 12
136
5 *
...
S.E.
S.E.
75 '
73 ‘6
74*3
0^867
0^829
0-848
85
89
8 7
0
10
10
B
R
R
•73
2
78
86
82
86
70
16
149
63
1
S.E.
S.E.
712
712
7I‘2
'765
■763
764
79
61
70
0
0
0
B
B
B
3
80
85
825
86
73
13
146
60
N.E.
S.E.
75 '
73'4
74*2
■867
■826
■846
85
68
76 s |
0
0
0
B
B
B
4
79
85
82
87
73
14
149
62
S.E.
S.
75'6
71-8
737
•888
•7S1
*834
90
64
77 i
0
0
10
B
B
R
1.30
5
75
83
79
84
73
1 1
100
16
S.E.
S.E.
73*3
76-3
74*8
‘820
*905
•862
94
80
87 |
3
3
3 ;
C
C
C
6
75
84
79 '5
S 6
72
14
141
55
S.E.
S.
73'3
757
74*5
'820
•888
•854
94
76
85
3
5
Io
C
C
R
1 42
7
76
84
80
84
71
13
140
E.
S.E.
74 '3
724
733
•848
*794
‘821
94
68
81
0
5
0
B
c
B
8
76
87
81-5
88
73
15
146.
60
-at
S.E.
S.E.
74’3
77 '*
757
•848
'933
■890 [
94
73
83 '5
0
3
3
B
c
C.
9
76
84
80
86
74
12
155
69
...
S.E.
S.E,
75 '
757
75‘3
■867
•888
•877
85
76
80-5 j
3
0
0
C
B
B
•
10
80
82
81
87
73
14
*54
67
j
S.E.
S.E.
729
75 '3
74 *i
'810
•877
■843
84
80
82 |
0
0
0
B
B
B
•03
ii ,
76
37
8r5
87
74
13
*53
66
...
S.E.
N.E.
72 -6
72’2
72*4
801
•792
796
89
61
75
3
0
0
C
B
B
12
77
88
825
89
72
17
1S6
67
S.E.
S.E.
71-9
71-6
7 i *7
783
•775
‘779
84
58
7 *
0
3
0
B
C
B
*3
81
86
83'5
87
72
i 5
*53
66
. , ,
S.E.
S.
74*2
71-2
727
•849
*763
•806
80
61
70*5 ;
3
0
0
,C
B
B
14
76
79
77'5
80
73
7 ■
101
21
. t .
S.E.
E.
72-6
75*6
74 **
*801
■888
•844
89
90
89*5
*0
3
*>
R
C
B
1-62
15
7 6
81
76
82
7 1
11
I2 7
45
...
S.E.
S.E.
74'3
76*2
75*2
*848
•897
‘872
94
85
89*5
*0
3
0
R
C
B
16
77
82
79'5
84
7 1
*3 '
* 5 o
66
...
S.E.
S.E.
73*6
75*3
74'4
•829
■877
*853
89
80
84*5
*o
3
5
R
*c
C
.80
17 .
75
84
79’5
84
73
H j
*36
52
S.W. ,
S.W.
73’3
74 *
73*6
•820
'840
•S30
94
72
83
3
3
2
C
C
B
18
80
81
80-5
86
7 2
14 I
*37
5 *
...
S.E. '
S.E.
75 '
74*2
746
*867
•849
•858
85
80
82-5
2
2
5
B
B
C
* 3 *
19
76
77
76‘5
84
7 1
13 1
io 0
16
...
S.E.
S.E.
72-6
73-6
73 **
•801
*829
•815
89
89
89
*0
5
10
R
C
R
‘39
20
75
84
79'5
84
72
12 !
io 3
*9
...
S.E,
S.E.
73‘3
74 -
73*6
•820.
’840
•830
94
72
83
3
5
10
C
c
R
rio
21
77
83
80
84
7 1
*3 1
I3 7
53
...
N.E.
S.
73 ' 6
7 i*J
72-4
•829
■766
*797
89
68
78-5
3
0
3
C
B
C
22
79
83
81
84
73
11
”4
30
S.E.
S.
73'9
73 *
73*4
*839
'810
•824
85
72
78-5
3
3
5
C
C
C
•21
23
79
83
81
83
74
9
* 4 4
61
...
S.
s.
75*6
73 *
74*3
•888
810
*849
90
72
81
3
3
5
C
C
c
142
24
80
84
82
86
72
H
i 5 i
65
...
S.E,
S.
76 '6
74 *
75'3
•916
‘840
•878
90
72
81
3
3
3
C
C
C
25
80
85 ,
82-5
86
74
12
* 2 0
34
...
A*.
S.E.
S.E.
73 '3
734
73'3
•820
•826
‘823
80
68
74
3
2
2
C
B
B
26
75
82 !
78-5
84
72
12
14 ;
63
...
S.E.
S.E.
73'3
72-
7 2'6
•820
785
•802
94
72
83-
5
3
2
C
C
B
27
80
85
82-5
87
73
14
* 5 o
63
S.E.
S.E,
71-6
66-8
69‘2
*775
■660
' *717
75
55
65
2
0
0
B
B
B
28
78
83
80 ‘5
85
73
12
Ho
55
...
S.E.
S.E.
72-9
747
73*8
•810
•856
*833
94
76
80
3
3
3
C
C
C
"22
29
79
85
83
86
72
H
147
61
S.E.
S.
73 ’9
7 o - i
72 *
*839
•738
.788
85
1 61
73
3
0
2
C
B
B
*05
30
78
85 :
815
87
72
15
*45
58
...
S.E.
S.E.
72-9
747
73'8
.810
856
•833
84
1 76
80
1 Q
0
2
1 B
B
B
3 i
78
79
73-5
86
72
14
149
63
...
S.E,
S.E.
7 3 '9
] 75’6
74‘2
•810
.88S
.849
.84
|
j 90
87
! 5
1 °
0
C
B
B
State Surgeon’s Office,
Seremban, 12 th August,
1905.
R. VAN GEYZEL,
Apothecary,
Total 9'6 i
AGRICULTURAL BULLETIN
OF THE
STRAITS
AND
FEDERATED MALAY STATES.
No. io.] OCTOBER, 1905. [Vol. IV.
THE POSITION OF RUBBER. AMONG
CULTIVATED PLANTS.
There are a number of people who from time to time write to
various papers to express their fears that Rubber cultivation will
soon be overdone and that a terrible collapse must ensue. They
usually cite as a precedent the collapse of Cinchona cultivation, to
argue from which displays a vast depth of ignorance as to the
different values of cultivations to the planter.
The various cultivations of useful products can be more or less
classified into groups, a study of which will show the peculiar
advantages of the cultivation of rubber, and the foolishness of
comparing it with those of Cinchona. Economic products can be
classed into those of everyday use, and those of special use. Pro-
ducts of everyday use are those that are used by everyone or
almost everyone, everyday, essentials for the existence of modern
civilization such are Tea, Coffee, Wheat, Rubber. Products of spe-
cial use are those that are seldom used on a large scale, but for
which there is a greater or smaller demand, such are Indigo, Gam-
bier, Pepper, Vanilla and Drugs.
The next most important point in the classification of products
to look at is the area on the world’s surface on which can produce
the supply. In' the case of plants of special use it is essential
that the productive area should be limited. There are many useful
plants such for instance as Coca, Croton oil, Arnotto, of which
the area in which they can be grown is so large that the supply is
practically unlimited while the demand is small, such plants can
only prove remunerative when owing to an overstock, planters
have abandoned them and there suddenly occurs a temporary but
often good demand.
Plants of special or limited use whose area -whether circumscribed
by climate, soil or surroundings is also limited are often very valuable
sources of remuneration. Often quite simple accidents will limit
382
the area of a plant. Thus Vanilla a crop of considerable value with
a limited source of supply, is not successfully grown here because
although the growth of the plant is rapid and easy, it flowers
regularly and well, and appears to have no enemies, it fails from the
fact that the slowly ripening fruit requires nearly four months dry
weather in order to mature. . If during this period a heavy spell of
rain falls, the young fruits perish, and as the plant flowers at a period
just preceding the wetter months here, the fruit crop usually fails.
An ideal plant for the planter is one belonging to the class of
those in constant everyday use, which can only be grown in a
limited area. Now if the areas of successful cultivation of this class
of crop be as carefully studied as we have data for, we shall see a
great difference in the values of the cultivations as studied from
this point of view.
I may say, it is not very easy to judge accurately the amount of
suitable area for any given cultivation even approximately, in spite
of all reports and agricultural publications published all over the
world. There is a great tendency to exaggerate the area which
can be used. Some one for instance, reports surprising growth of a
rubber tree or trees in some region and prophesies a great future
for the. cultivation. A few years go by and one hears no more.
Enquiries show that the opinion was based on a few trees in very
special almost horticultural circumstances, and that the area is
utterly unsuitable for the plant.
As far as tropical cultivations are concerned we may take approxi-
mately 20 degrees North and 20 South of the line in which we can
grow tropical plants vrith anything approaching success. This area
includes the Northern part of Australia, the Malay Peninsula and
» Islands, Cochin-China, India south of Calcutta, a large area of
Africa, and America from Mexico and the West Indies to Rio de
Janeiro and a considerable number of Polynesian Islands. Now
taking our chief tropical crops of the first class, we see that Coffee
can be grown over almost every portion of thfsarea excluding per-
haps the desert portions of Australia, Africa and a small area in
South America.
Tea again has been successfully grown, over the greater part of
the same area and further North in some parts of Asia. That it has
not been grown in South America is due to the required supply
being produced in Asia, and from the fact that it has never had any
market to speak of in South America. To a certain extent these
two products supplement each other; and when one is used the
other is not.
Sugar again is one of tne plants of which though the demand is
very large the area of cultivation is of very large dimensions, extend-
ing not only over most of the tropical regions but also over an
extensive temperate region.
383
It cannot be wondered at then that these products can be easily
overstocked.
Rubber is however in a different position. It is exclusively a
tropical product, no rubber plant of a^iy value having been met with
outside the tropic area as above defined or having been successfully
grown outside.
There are four kinds of rubber trees which are practically the
only ones of value for cultivation purposes, for though there are a
number of other plants which produce a rubber of more or less
value, the difficulty of growing them in the case of the rubber vines,
for practical purposes, and the slowness of growth, and inferiority
of product in the others exclude them from consideration. These
four kinds are Para rubber, Rambong, Castilloa and Ceara rubber, of
these the first two require a continuous rainfall, and can best be
grown in the low country, Castilloa is^more suited for hill regions,
and Ceara, is a desert plant preferring sandy regions.
Para rubber seems to dislike a long spell of dry season, and if in
such places it grows its growth is slow. It is also an inhabitant of
alluvial plains requiring a fairly good soil.
Taking the same area as before we may exclude as a possible
producing area all Australia except possibly a small part of the
extreme north, Cochin-China, and India, except perhaps parts of
Burmah the whole of Africa (except perhaps a small part of the
West coast), a region too dry and open for Para rubber and probably
Rambong also; and a very large area of South America,
The Eastern region of Brazil, Rio Grande del Norte, Pernambuco,
and Bahia are dry campos covered with an open forest, and from
what I have seen of them quite unsuited for the better class
rubbers. The only wild rubbers in this region are the Mangabeira
and Ceara, and it is highly improbable that either of these will
interfere with rubber cultivation at all. In the more western parts
of Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, the Amazonas district of Brazil, and as far
north as Mexico the rubbers Hevea, Castilloa and probably Ram-
bong could be and are being well grown. Some of the Polynesian
islands may prove sources of rubber supply in the future, but in
only the larger islands will it be possible to grow the plant success-
fully, owing to the maritime nature of the greater part of the
islands and it is on the whole not probable that the entire Polyne-
sian area will ever produce any important supply of rubber.
Meanwhile rubber is a product of universal use, a necessity of
modem civilization, becoming more and more important every day,
and being used directly or indirectly by everyone every day.
Hitherto it has been only a jungle product, very little having been
produced under cultivation. The area in which it has been pro-
duced is almost exhausted of the product, and a large part of that
area, (the greater part of Africa) is utterly unsuited for the cultiva-
tion of any rubber plant of any value. The Landolphias of Africa
tim
384
are quite unsuited for cultivation, and are never likely to come into
competition with the cultivated Heveas and Ficus. Funtumia ,
again does not seem according to the latest reports on its growth
and return likely to be of greapdmportance in the future. Over the
large area which produced these rubbers and which is now nearly
exhausted of its stock, there is little or no ground suited for the
cultivation of those rubbers which are possible to cultivate remune-
ratively. The volume of rubber produced by this area must
therefore be supplied by the increasing area of cultivation in the
Malay Peninsula, Ceylon and a few other parts of the world.
Mexico and Northern Brazil may perhaps be able to supply
Castilloa and Hevea rubber in sufficient amount to replace the
denuded forests of the Amazons. But in the meantime the demand
is increasing and it will be long before the product can possibly be
produced in sufficient quantity to fill even the present demand.
Rubber then is almost the ideal cultivation for the planter. It is a
product of universal, everyday use, and its area of production is
distinctly a limited one. It is absurd to compare it with coffee a
product of universal use but with an enormous producing area,
practically the whole of the tropics, or Cinchona a plant of more
limited area but very limited use. Both of these it is obvious could
easily be overproduced, indeed is the case of most of the other
tropical products. Rubber in fact is the only product known to me
which while it has an universal use has so limited an area of produc-
tion and it is also unique in having practically disappeared from a
large area which supplied a considerable portion of the world’s
supply, and in which it can never be replaced. Under- these
exceptional circumstances it does' not seem probable that this
product is likely to be overproduced for very many years if it ever
is at all. — Editor.
RUBBER DISEASES: LATEST MYCQLOGICAL
NOTES.
Result of Injuries to the Cambium, Etc.
Mr. T. Petch, the mycologist of Peradeniya, has the following
article in the September issue of the Magazine of the Agricultura
Society : —
In Mr. Richard Hoffman’S final article on rubber cultivation,
in the Financial News, he discusses briefly the possibility of fungoid
disease and dismisses the subject with the remark that it is “ very
improbable, for the tree, being deciduous (viz., shedding its leaves
annually), is not likely co contract a permanent leaf disease.”
It is hoped that no planter will be led by this statement to
neglect any suspicious appearance on the ground that the leaves
3^5
only are affected. It is quite true that though many leaf fungi have
been found on Hevea'none of these at present cause serious injury.
The Pestalozzia recorded in the June number of the Tropical Agri-
culturist occurred in a nursery bounded on one side by tea, and the
only plants attached were on that §ide. They were then about a
foot high. Practically all the diseased leaves were gathered, and,
when I visited the nursery later to obtain fresh specimens, I found
that the plants, then three feet high, were quite free from any
disease. There is no doubt that the young plants had been infested
by spores blown from the adjacent tea bushes.
H elminthosporium attacks rather older plants, but is again
apparently confined to nurseries: it has been sent in from several
localities.
So far the trees are free from leaf disease, but it is not true that
the periodical leaf fall confers any immunity. Deciduous trees can
and do suffer serious injury; in fact the injury inflicted on them is
greater than on other species, since they are generally deprived of
their foliage at a time when all their reserve food has been con-
sumed in the formation of new leaves which have not yet elaborated
a further supply.
Mr. Hoffman’s comparison with an English apple orchard is
rather unfortunate, as the majority are hotbeds of disease, and in
the remainder a paying crop can only be realised by constantly
spraying against the attacks of fungi and insects.
Many specimens are sent for examination which, though in a
sense pathological, are not mycological. Two recent cases are of
considerable interest, showing that the power of forming new bark
which Hevea possesses to such an extraordinary degree sometimes
produces.
Results which are not altogether desirable.
The first series of specimens consisted of several “knots” of
wood measuring from one centimetre diameter to 9x7x5 cm§.
These were cut from the trunks of trees, 10 or 12 years old, aver-
aging 4 to 5 feet in girth at three feet from the ground. In some
cases the growths cover the first five feet of the trunk. The trees
appear to be knobby and buttressed on the stem where affected by
this growth, and, on an incision being made, the bark is found to
be very thick and of a claret colour, and does not yield latex.
Covered by the thick growth of bark are the hard growths of wood
previously mentioned ; these are not attached to the main stem but
“shell out” quite easily when the outer bark has been cut away.
Between the knots and the main stem is a second layer of bark and
often a layer of rotten latex. The trees have been tapped on the V
system at some unknown date, and the knots occur on the old
tapped surface.
The structure of these “knots” is identical with that of the
“ Masers knollen ” of beech and other trees. They are formed in
3^6
the bark by an adventitious cambium which has no connection with
the main cambium of the stem. In the case of large growths, the
latex probably passes down the inner layer of bark, while the outer
bark dries up and thus acquires a dull claret colour. The layer of
latex between the bark and the main trunk may be due to an internal
rupture resulting from the tensions induced by unequal growth. Simi-
lar growths occur normally in Beech trees, as a result" of wounds in
apple and pear, from insect attacks in oak, and from rungus attacks
in eucalyptus. In Hevea, they are the result of excessive irritation
caused by careless tapping. It has been suggested that the inser-
tion of the cup at the base of the V is responsible for this irritation,
but the position of the knobs negatives the idea.
In a second instance the specimens submitted consisted of
lengths of the stem of Hevea, 3 to 4 years old, and about 4 inches
in diameter, grown at an elevation of 2,500 feet. The normally
smooth bark was interrupted Hy gnarled patches, circular or irregu-
larly shaped, varying from one-half to three inches in diameter,
with a margin formed by the slightly upturned edge of the normal
bark. The smaller patches resemble branch scars, but their num-
ber, as many as thirty-six on a length of one foot, showed that this
was not correct. On removing the bark, the wood immediately be-
neath was found to be swollen and sometimes raised in small lumps
and thorns, but there was_.no sign of any fungus. After chiselling
out the sound wood to a depth of half an inch, thin black patches,
about an inch in diameter, were disclosed, and a microscopic exam-
ination showed that these consisted of dead elements of wood
and bark thus forming a separation layer between the wood on
either face. It is evident that these patches represent injuries
incurred by the tree seme nine month, previously which have been
overgrown by a new layer of wood and bark. The important point,
however, is that the extra effort required to accomplish this has not
ceased when the gap was closed, but has continued to produce
more than the normal quantity of material, thus making the wood
at that point half as thick again as the wood produced in the same
time in places where the stem has not been injured. The pressure
exerted by this additional material enlarges the external “ canker ”
and prevents the formation of a smooth bark.
Bark attacked by the true Hevea canker is, as a rule, unbroken
or only slightly cracked, dark on the exterior, a dirty claret colour
internally, friable, and full of moisture. Gnarled bark is usually
merely the expression of extreme irritability.
In the case of “knots'’ forming knobs on the trunk, it may be
possible to secure a smoother surface by cutting them out together
with their enveloping cabium, but care must be taken not to remove
the inner bark, and the operation should be performed when the
knots are small. No method of treatment will remove the cause
of the irritation in the second case referred to ; this roughness,
however, will not be such an obstacle to tapping as the large swel-
lings produced by the “ knots. ”
Since injuries inflicted on young trees influence the growth of
their bark for many years, it is important that all unnecessary
wounding should be avoided. Coolies frequently tap young trees
with a sharp stone in order to see the milk flow, forming irregular
wounds which are quite sufficient te account for the appearances
described.
. “ Times of Ceylon. "
22-9-05.
RUBBER IN AFRICA.
Mr. JOHNSON, the Director of Agriculture on the Gold Coast
publishes a short, but interesting account of recent doings in
Rubber planting in the Gold Coast. Here Para rubber seems to do
well, ten year old trees giving an average of 1 lb. f oz. rubber per
tree, and the rubber is reported -'to be as good as that received
from Ceylon. The tree is a quicker grower than Funtumia and is
quite free from insect attacks ,e On the other hand." he says “that
Hevea is an exotic and Funtumia a native ” but in spite of this
he considers there is every reason to anticipate that Hevea would be
as successful as other exotics like tea, coffee, etc., introduced into
that country. We merely quote this as there are a number of people
who think that because a plant is not indigenous to the Country it is
less likely to do well than an indigenous plant under cultivation.
The reverse is as a matter of fact, the case. If an exotic plant can
get into a country in which the climate and soil suit it, it has
great advantages over indigenous plants. In the first place change
of locality seems always to benefit a plant, for what exact reason
is not clear, but the fact js well known to horticulturists. In the
second place, it is free* from the insect and fungus pests which
attack a plant in its own home, while there are in its new home no
insects or fungi which at first at least can manage to feed on it.
In time a fungus or insect may adapt its habits of life so as to
attack the newcomer, and probably does so. A closely allied
plant may exist in the locality where the newcomer arrives and its
enemies may be able to attack at once, just as the Coffee beehawk
moth whose caterpillar feeds normally on Gardenia bushes, soon
transferred its attention to the allied Coffee bushes. But assuming
that climate suits an exotic it has a better chance of escaping
attacks by far than an Indigenous plant wihich has its enemies all
ready on the ground. Hevea has not any very near relations at
Asia or Africa, hence its comparative immunity from pests in
present.
To revert to Mr. JOHNSON’S report he does not speak highly
of Funtumia. It is attacked by a caterpillar of the pestilential
genus Glyphodes (some of which here attack the Rambong) and
also by the fungus ( Meliola ). Its growth is slow and it cannot be
388
safely tapped before 9 years, one tapped at 7 years’ age gave 4 oz.
rubber, but the shock of too heavy tapping nearly killed it. Two
more tapped more carefully at 9 years’ old gave one and two
ounces respectively. While Para rubber a year older gave 1 lb. foz.
The rubber obtained contained 8.67 p.c. resin, and 89.33 caoutchouc
as against 3.2 5-3 90 resin an 9 95.96-95.53 p.c. caoutchouc in Para.
Under these circumstances Funtumia is hardly Jikely again to
play an important part in the world’s rubber supply.
Mr. JOHNSON points out in conclusion that rubber plants are
not nearly so plentiful in Africa as was generally supposed, and
gives a table showing the enormous decrease in rubber export
from West Africa from 1898 to 1902, viz. } from 94 ’ 30 l cwts. in
1898 to 18*486 in 1902. — Editor.
RUBBER SOILS
A circular issued by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Ceylon, July,
1905, deals with Para Rubber, chiefly from a chemical point of view.
A series of analyses of soils and of fresh and decaying leaves,
twigs, etc,, being given. The article is by Messrs. Wright and
Bruce, and is interesting and instructive. The authors point out
that the drain on the soil by taking away the latex is not great but
that though the loss is small yet it should be taken into consider-
ation after a number of years and an attempt made to replace the
mineral matter and nitrogen. Though this may be admitted it
forms a very trivial loss of food-material compared with the losses
of sweeping away the leaves and .twigs and removing the weeds
which have grown beaeath. Indeed the loss by the removal of the
seeds would probably be far greater than that caused by the removal
of the latex.
The authors further say, u We are at present of the opinion that
manuring at the young stage would help on the young plants and
prove to be beneficial.” This cautious opinion was justified as long
ago as November, 1903, in the Bulletin with a*x illustrative photo-
graph, (published later). It seems a pity that the authors do not
keep au courant with rubber literature.
They continue “ We would strongly recommend that the fallen
leaves be buried with lime or basic slag in trenches or round the
trees at a distance of from 4 to 6 feet from the trunk.” I should
venture to dissuade planters in the Malay Peninsula at least from
doing anything of the kind. In the paper above referred lime was
shown to be, if used in quantity at least, injurious to the tree.
But more serious is the damage that would be caused by cutting
through the roots of the tree at a distance of from four to six feet
from the trunk. Para rubber in the Peninsula roots very high, and
such treatment would be most injurious not only checking the
growth of the roots, but allowing a possibility of their injury on the
cut ends by inroads of fungi. By all means let the leaves and
small twigs rot on the ground and feed the plant, as is done in the
389
Botanic Gardens in Singapore but the greatest care should be
taken not to injure the roots by cutting or bruising them under any
circumstances. As the authors remark they do not advance any
opinion as to the effects of manuring old trees, as indeed no experi-
ments have yet been made as fa as records go in Ceylon on this
subject. Experiments have been nade however in Singapore and
we hope to publish the results shortly. As far as growth of trees is
concerned liberal manuring with cowdung has not shown any im-
provement. The increase, if any, in latex on the manured trees has
not yet been worked out. Perhaps the most instructive part of the
whole paper lies in the chemistry of the decaying leaves and twigs
where the authors show that in sweeping off the ground 10,000 lbs.
of fallen leaves and twigs (about 75 piculs) about 58 lbs. lime, 36
lbs. magnesia, 22 lbs. potash and 12 lbs. phosphoric acid are remov-
ed right away from the ground. Of course in a nice clean kept
estate with the ground absolutely bare more plant food will be
washed away by the rain from the surface, so that in time the
plants would be starved and the soil rendered absolutely sterile and
useless. — Editor.
PLANTATION RUBBER ON THE EUROPEAN
CONTINENT.
“Times of Ceylon,”
22nd September , 1905.
September 19th, 1905, will be an historic day in the Antwerp
rubber trade, for on Tuesday -last the first consignments of Malaya
and Ceylon rubber appeared in the regular,catalogue, and were pub
Hcly sold at prices which were doubtless the talk of the trade in this
important and growing continental centre. Considering the occa-
sion an interesting one:, we cabled to the largest rubber brokers in
Antwerp for the results ; and, although one word is indecipherable
and is not altered on repetition, we believe we have put the right
interpretation 01 it. Knowing that we had the catalogue, the
Antwerp firm has told us that the sale was very good, and, as it is
very rare for rubber there to be sold -at less than its valuation, we
take it that the prices average out at 33 centimes more , (which is
the indecipherable word) instead of less, for the new article. We
extract from the middle of page 7 of a closely-printed catalogue the
six entries, just as they appear in the original : —
Par St. Fos.
Nos.
Taxes. Quantities.
f. c.
2745
17*40 env.
296 kit
2746
1 5*00 „
12 „
2747
1300 „
13 »
Straits Biscuits, minces et en major, clairs, agglomerds
par series, de belle quality, en partie un peu moisis entre
les biscuits, (dont env. 12 k. marchandise ancienne, pressde
et un peu poiss.)
Rambong Biscuits, marchandise nerv., un peu charg.
d’ecorces.
Straits Scrap, dechets, pp. clairs, un peu charg. d’im-
puretes, mais de belle qualite.
#3
390
Par St. Valeria.
2748 17^0 env. 111 kil, Ceylon, Biscuits (Yataderiya), ass. epais, en partie
de forme carree, en major, clairs, de belle qualite, partiell.
un peu blanch&tres inter.
2 749 I 7 ' 3 ° >> 122 jj Ceylon Biscuit*, env. 47 k. (Gikiyanakanda), pp. clairs,
minces, de be 1 e qualite, (dont env. 6 k. plus foncds), env.
75 k. (Rayiga; 1) id., mais un peu plus fonces.
2750 17-00 „ 73 „ Ceylon, B.scuits (Galboda), tr£s clairs, mais non-
transparents.
A kilogramme is equal to 2| lbs. ; and consequently the valua-
tions (“ taxes for plantation Hevea rubber work out at over ys.
per lb. There are no other quotations in the catalogue within four
francs of the Ceylon prices ; the general valuations would average
10 francs per kilogramme. And the rubber from the East fetched
as we interpret our special telegram — 33 centimes per kilogramme,
or about I^d. per lb. more than the above valuations.
Out of small events great ones grow ; and as Antwerp is such a
central point, as any one can see who consults a map of Europe, it
should be the largest Continental rubber market — except, possibly,
Bordeaux — when Ceylon and the Malay States are supplying an
important proportion of the world's demands. As our supply grows
it will be both impossible and undesirable to send nine-tenths of
our output to London ; and direct trading is to be one of the chief
features of future commerce.
On the Introduction of Para Rubber
to the Straits.
In the Tropical Agriculturist of September, the Editor continues
his account of the history of Rubber Cultivation in Ceylon. With
respect to the history of the relations between the Straits and
Ceylon, he writes —
“In 1877 rooted cuttings were sent to the Straits to Mr. Low
for the Experimental Garden at Perak. As previously stated the
plants produced flowers and fruits before the parent trees in Ceylon
and in 1882 a consignment of seed was received from Mr. Low
but they were found to be dead on arrival. In 1886, nearly one-
third and in 1888 more than half the total crop of seeds were sent to
Singapore and other parts of the Straits. Seeds were subsequently
sent but it is probably correct to assume that much of the rubber
now in the Straits has been obtained from the original cuttings sent
in 1877. It should be mentioned, however, that in 1876 plants were
sent direct from Kew to Singapore."
The history of the introduction of Hevea into the Straits Settle-
ments and Perak has been already described in the Bulletin and
it is not quite the same as that of the Editor of the Tropical Agricul-
turist. It is pretty clear that the first Para rubber trees planted in
Perak were those taken by Murton from the Botanic Gardens,
Singapore, and were some of the plants originally sent from Kew.
39i
From LOW’S letters in 1877 and 1878, one gathers that these plants
were the only ones he possessed then, and the Ceylon cuttings are
not even alluded to. It is probable therefore that they failed.
The seeds sent in 1882, were, without doubt, those of the Singapore
garden trees. Some of the original trees in the Singapore gardens
sent from Kew still exist, and fromlthem were derived a large part
of the younger trees which have Supplied so many seeds to the
Malay Peninsula. In 1888, 1 1,000 seeds were obtained from Ceylon,
sent loose in gunny bags, and a large proportion germinated. But
by that year rubber seeds had been distributed over the Peninsula
largely from the original trees and their descendants ; so that as
explained previously, the greater part of the Para rubber trees in
the Malay Peninsula were derived from the plants sent to the
Botanic Gardens, Singapore, from Kew. However, it must be admit-
ted that the seeds sent from Ceylon in 1888 have been very useful
in helping to stock the Peninsula and other parts of the world
lately . — Edito r.
RUBBER NOTES.
In the India rubber world of September 1st, 1905, the Editor
reproduces the photograph of the old tapping scar left on a Para
rubber tree figured in Bulletin.
He remarks that while it was tapped with all reasonable care the
bark was penetrated even to the wood. “ It will be seen that though
several inches of woody grovrth formed over the tapped surface the
scar still remained in the interior of the tree. The illustration is
an especially interesting one and should carry a warning to planters
against careless tapping.” Curiously we came to quite an opposite
opinion on the same specimen. The tapping was very rough, the
central cut being muck too broad. The striking thing was that
though the wounds were very large and deep and a big area of
wood denuded of cambium and exposed to the air there Is no trace
of any decay, or real injury to the tree. A little black coloration
about a millimetre thick is all the trace of any injury. The speci-
men seems to show that a Para rubber tree will stand a great
amount of loss of cambium without any injurious effect.
I may say that of the trees tapped through the cambium in the
Botanic Gardens, over 1,300 and many of them several times, only
one tree has ever been injured even by the roughest tapping, and
that was more of an accident than anything else.— Editor.
Caterpillar attacking Tobacco Plants.
Tobacco plants cultivated for commercial purposes or as orna-
mental plants, are very liable to the attacks of Caterpillars, one of
these identified as that of Chloridea assulta Green, by Sir GEORGE
HaMPSGN, was found spoiling tobacco plants and also tomatos
392
grown in the Botanic Gardens in August, 1902. It was light green
with a paler band along the spiracles, quite smooth and hairless,
and when disturbed coiled itself in a ring. It was adult and
pupated in a few days, the moth hatching out on September 1st. It
was a noctuid moth one inch across the wings, with filiform antennae,
of a pinkish fawn colour all oyer, the upper wings marked with
wavy darker lines and a doubfc darker one towards the tip. The
underwings pale buff-yellow with a dusky curved band passing
into a pale reddish colour, towards the fringed edge. The under-
side of the upper wings bore a black spot, and a transverse reddish
band continuous with a similar band on the underwings. The body
was buff coloured and fluffy.
This moth is described as widely spread over Africa and Asia,
in the British Museum Catalogue of moths, where the Caterpillar is
said to feed on Physalis peruviana.
H. N. R.
FEDERATED MALAY STATES RUBBER.
Important Notification.
Straits Times, October 4th , 1905.
Mr. W. W. Bailey, Chairman of the United Planters’ Association,
has forwarded to the “ Malay Mail ” for publication the following
important letter on rubber which he has received from Messrs.
Barlow & Co., Singapore : —
We have now received confirmation of the sale of the 90 cases per
s.s. Palermo. The particulars are
s. d.
70 cases Crepe sold at ... ... 7/4
5 „ Sheets „ „ ... ... 6/4!
15 » » ” » . -• 6/4
Our London House referring to this shipment say : — “ The Oblong
Sheets show particularly good quality and the par el of Crepe is fully
up to the standard. The Sheets are more economical for the estate,
supposing that there is no extra expense in manufacturing in this
style, as in the same size case you are able to put 90 lbs. as against
55 lbs. of the Crepe. As the draft is calculated on the weight of the
empty case no further allowance will have to be made on the heavier
packages. There is of course also greater economy in the freight,
as well as in the cost of cases. A more satisfactory result still could
be obtained if you reverted to the larger packages. It is satisfactory
to know that a very large number of buyers come into our broker’s
sale-room as the catalogues are issued. We met several there the
other afternoon ; but we are sorry to say that two or three to whom
we spoke expressed themselves very strongly that the price of Ceylon
and Straits Rubber would have to come down much nearer to that
of fine Para, as the more extended use to which the newer grown
Rubber has now been put convinces manufacturers that it is not as
393
strong as the Brazilian kind. We have seen several of the buyers
since the sale, and from what they tell us it is pretty evident that the
larger number of them consider the sheets a much better form than
the 3 Crepe. There is always a very great suspicion in the minds of
buyers that in the Crepe the scrap i*' mixed up with it ; but they say
that in manufacturing the Rubber into the form of sheets this could
not be done and in this we believe they are right. We would
strongly recommend you to bring this to the notice of the Estate
owners, and advise them to adopt the manufacture in sheet form in
preference to any other. Some of these buyers tell us that they are
quite satisfied with the produce of the Straits and Ceylon as far as it
has gone, but they agree with what we have previously written to
you, that this kind of Rubber is not as strong as Para. This is
attributed to the fact that the trees from which a good deal of
Straits and Ceylon Rubber is produced are immature, or compara-
tively so; and that, as the trees get older, the sap will not only be
abundant, but will make Rubber of greater strength.
DAMAGE TO RUBBER PLANTS BY
PORCUPINES.
Forest Office,
TaiPING, ^rd October , 1905.
Dear Sir, — On a small Para Rubber plantation here, a consi-
derable amount of damage has been done lately by porcupines. I
should be very glad to know whether other plantations have suffered
from the same cause, an d what remedies have been adopted with
success.
The porcupine gnaw T s the bark of the trees round the base, in
some case completely ringing it ; the wound usually reaches the
wood, and consequently, when healed, leave a rough and scarred
surface, which will seriously interfere with tapping.
The animals are not satisfied with any trees which they happer
to light upon ; they generally take a snack from several trees before
settling down to a meal. They feed only at night, and do not come
out when the moon is bright
I have lately made nurseries which have also been vigorously
attacked. The seed is allowed to sprout, and the porcupine roots
up the plant when it is about nine inches high, and eats the seed.
Nurseries however can be easily protected.
While the trees only were attacked I failed to find any way of
dealing with the destroyers, in spite of traps and snares.
Now that the nursery attracts them all to one spot, I find that
they can be easily taken in pitfalls. The pit should be made in the
paths round the seed beds ; these should be at least five feet deep,
and three feet across the mouth ; the pit should be wider at the
bottom than at the top, to prevent climbing : two or three pieces of
6 Me
394
thin split bamboo, some lalang spread cunningly over and around
the pit, and a piece of jack fruit as bait, will probably do all that is
wanted.
I have caught three in four nights in this way, which is satisfactory
as far as it goes ; but it is evident that very considerable damage
might be caused to an estate, 'before they could be exterminated,
even if extermination were possible.
I beg to remain,
Dear Sir,
Yours faithfully,
W. H. BARNARD.
Acting Deputy Conservator of Forests ,
Perak.
The Editor, Agricultural Bulletin,
Singapore.
IMPERIAL INSTITUTE.
( South Kensington, London, S. W. )
REPORT ON FOUR SAMPLES OF BAT GUANO FROM
THE FEDERATED MALAY STATES.
BY
Professor Wyndham R. Dunstan, m.a., f.r.s., Director.
The first of these sapiples of bat guano was forwarded to the
Imperial Institute by the Superintendent of the Botanical Gardens,
Singapore, and is referred to in a letter dated the 1 8th March,
1904, which states that it was obtained from the limestone caves at
Padang Rengas in Perak, about 16 miles from Taiping.
Subsequently three more samples of bat guano were sent to the
Imperial Institute by the Superintendent of the Experimental
Plantations of the Federated Malay States. These were described
in a letter No. Ex. Pitns. 115/04, dated the 25th October, 1904, in
which it was stated that they were collected in the Batu Caves at
Selangor, Federated MaPy States, which occur in limestone rock
at a height of about 300 feet above sea level, and, so far as is
known, are frequented by bats but not by any other species of
mammals or birds.
It was desired that these samples of guano might be analysed
and their commercial values determined.
description of samples.
Sample A, from limestone caves at Padang Rengas, sent by the
Superintendent of the Botanical Gardens, Singapore.
This sample weighed about 14 pounds, and consisted of small
lumps mixed with powder; The colour was dark buff, but small
395
white fragments of calcium sulphate and phosphate were visible
here and there throughout the mass. The material had no charac-
teristic odour.
SAMPLES SENT BY SUPERINTENDENT, EXPERIMENTAL
PLANTATIONS, F.M.S.
This was described as having been obtained
within three inches of the surface. The spe-
cimen weighed about five ounces, and con-
sisted of a reddish-brown earthy powder.
This was collected at a depth of six inches ; it
weighed about six ounces and consisted of a
dark brown earthy powder.
This specimen was obtained at a depth of one
foot. It weighed about six ounces and was
composed of a light yellowish-brown moist
powder.
CHEMICAL EXAMINATION.
The four samples of bat guanos were chemically examined in the
Scientific and Technical Department of the Imperial Institute, and
gave the following results : —
A.
No. 1.
No. 2.
No. 3.
per cent.
per cent.
per cent.
per cent.
Silica Si 0 2
8.42 ...
31.62 ...
19-79 •
•• 21.77
Alumina A 2 O s ...
2.56 ...
II.36 ...
IO.78 .
... IO.70
Ferric oxide Fe 2 O s
1*75
II.03 ...
9.05 .
.. 8.28
Manganous oxide MnO .31
.20 ...
.19 .
.. .13
Lime CaO
22.27
I.81 ...
1.86 .
2.32
Magnesia MgO
trace . . .
I.03 .>.
1 .04 .
-95
Cupric oxide CuO . . .
.34 •••
■ 37 ,
•35 •
•34
Potash K 2 0
2.01 ...
1. 12 ...
.88 .
.88
Soda Na 2 0
1.30 ...
.78 ...
•75 •
•• -79
Ammonia NH 3
00
1-0
.12 ...
.14 •
.12
Nitric acid N 2 0 5 ...
7-55 •■•
.81 ...
.91 •
... .86
Phosphoric acid P 2 O s
17.52 ...
8.60 ...
10.86
... 14*17
Sulphuric acid SOJ
16.32 ...
.41 ...
•53 •
.. .50
Chlorine C
.13 ...
trace . . .
trace
Combined wafer H 2 0
4.36 ...
2.91 ...
2.62
. .. 2.24
Moisture
9.59 ...
21 .26 ...
22.92
. .. 26.60
Organic matter ...
4.88 ...
6.57 ...
17.21
. .. 9.62
Total nitrogen ... 2,47
Phosphoric acid soluble
in water ... .81
Phosphoric acid soluble
in ammonium citrate
.81 ...
1.52
... .84
solution
3.25 • ••
7.38 ...
8-54
... 9-75
Sample No. I.
Sample No. 2.
Sample No. 3.
39<5
These results show that although these guanos are comparatively
rich in phosphoric acid— of which a fairly large proportion is so-
luble in ammonium citrate solution and is therefore in a form in
which it could be utilised by plants — they are deficient in the very
important constituents, potash and nitrogen. The guano of com-
merce obtained in Chili and Peru contains as a rule from 7 to 12
per cent, of “total nitrogen , ” r 1 to 14 per cent, of phosphoric acid,
3 to 6 per cent, of potash, and 1 1 to 15 per cent, of lime (present
as calcium phosphate). Comparing these figures with those ob-
tained in the course of this examination of the bat guanos from the
Federated Malay States, it will be seen that although the latter are
fairly rich, particularly as regards samples A and 3, in phosphoric
acid, yet this deficiency in the other important constituents of
manures — viz., potash -and nitrogen — would prevent their being
used as general manures in the same way as South American
guanos, and they could only be satisfactorily employed in conjunc-
tion with other materials rich in potash and nitrogen. They re-
semble to some extent the so-called phosphate guanos, now
imported in considerable quantities into this country, which, how-
ever, contain as a rule at least 30 per cent, of phosphoric acid in
the form of calcium phosphate.
The best of the four bat guanos from the Federated Malay States
is sample A, which contains 2 per cent, of potash,* 2.47 per cent,
of nitrogen in the form of ammonium nitrate, and 17.52 per cent,
of phosphoric acid in the form of ferric, aluminium and calcium
phosphates. An unusual constituent of this sample is 28 per cent,
of calcium sulphate. The phosphoric acid content of this guano
would be worth about £2 i6j. per ton in this country, and it is
unlikely that the small amounts of “ nitrogen ” and potash present
would enhance its commercial value; This price is undoubtedly
too k>w to permit of profitable export, and it would probably prove
more remunerative to employ the guano locally. In this connection
it may be mentioned that the calcium sulphate present in the
material, though of no direct value as a manure, might be utilised
indirectly by using the guano in conjunction with dung or any
similar material which would undergo ammoniacal fermentation, as
the ammonia and carbon dioxide generated by the fermentation
would convert the calcium sulphate into arnmonium sulphate and
calcium carbonate, thus affording at once two important constitu-
ents of manures, viz., “ nitrogen ” and lime, in forms in which they
can be readily assimilated by plants. Calcium sulphate is frequent-
ly used in this way as an indirect manurial agent, and is regularly
mined in the United Kingdom for this purpose.
The other guanos, Nos. 1, 2 and 3, would be of comparatively
little commercial value in this country, but there is no reason why
they should not be utilised in the Federated Malay States as phos-
phatic manures. When used in this way it must be understood
that the soils to which they are applied may also require applications
of other manures containing nitrogen and potash. It is noticeable
that in samples Nos. 1, 2 and 3, taken at the surface, and six inches
and twelve inches deep, respectively, the amount of phosphoric
acid present increases with the depth at which the sample is taken,
and it is possible therefore that at still greater depths material
richer in phosphoric acid than the best of these samples may be
obtained.
COMMERCIAL VALUATION.
Samples of the four guanos were submitted to dealers in guano,
who were also informed of the results of their chemical examination,
for commercial valuation. They stated that large deposits of bat
guano occur in Mexico, Borneo, Algeria, Jamaica and elsewhere,
and that small consignments, similar in composition to those now
sent from the Federated Malay States, had occasionally been sent
to this country, but that the material had not been received with
favour, and there was reason to believe that these shipments had
not proved remunerative to the exporters, and as a result no regular
trade in this product has become established. The Imperial Insti-
tute will be glad to supply any further information regarding
methods of utilising these products which may be required.
WYNDHAM R. DUNS FAN.
23 rd June , 1905.
IMPERIAL INSTITUTE.
(SOUTH KENSINGTON, LONDON, S. W.)
REPORT ON SAMPLES OF PATCHOULI AND
CITRONELLA OILS FROM PERAK, MALAY
PENINSULA.
BY
Professor Wyndham R. Dunstan, m.a., f.r.s., Director .
These two samples of Volatile oils were forwarded to the Impe-
rial Institute by Mr. W. K. Smith, of the Kellas Estate, Perak,
together with a letter dated the 21st December, 1904, at the sug-
gestion of the Superintendent of the Botanic Gardens, Singapore,
and it was requested that they might be examined and their quality
and commercial value ascertained.
CITRONELLA OIL.
Description of Sample.
The sample measured about four fluid ounces and was labelled
“ Citronella Oil, distilled on the Kellas Estate, 20th December,
1904.” The oil was of a pale yellow colour and possessed the
characteristic fragrant odour of citronellal ; it was quite clean and
free from water.
Chemical Examination.
The oil was chemically examined in the Scientific and Technical
Department of the Imperial Institute, and gave the results recorded
in the following table, which also gives, for convenience of com-
39 $
parison, the average results obtained in the analysis of other citro-
nella oils of commerce.
—
Sample from Kellas
Estate.
Java oil.
Ceylon oil.
Specific gravity
Refractive index
Optical rotation in loo
mm. tube-
Solubility in So per cent,
alcohol
0.8948 at 15° C. ...
1.4858 at 24° C.
—i 34' at 24° C. ...
1 in 1 or more vols
of alcohol
^ 0.892
- o° 50' to 2 0 2 6'...
1 in 1 or more vols
of alcohol
0.908
-9° 36'
tin 1 vol. becom-
ing cloudy on
further addition
of alcohol
Geraniol
Citronellal (by difference)
32.7 per cent.
55-3 M
31.91038.1 per cent.
50.4 to 55.3 „
32.9 per cent.
28.2 „
These results show that this sample of citronella oil from the
K el la's Estate is of good quality, and that in composition it more
nearly approximates to Java oil than to that produced in Ceylon.
Commercial Valuation.
A sample of the oil was submitted to a firm of commercial
experts, who were also informed of the results of the chemical
examination, for valuation. They reported that*the oil was very
similar to samples of the same material previously received from
Singapore and that it would be worth about 2j. per pound. On the
same day Ceylon citronella oil was quoted at is. 6 \d. to is. id.
per pound.
PATCHOULI OIL.
Description or Sample.
The sample measured about four fluid ounces and was labelled
‘ ■ Pure Patchouli Oil, distilled on the Kelfas Estate, 7th December,
1904.’' The oil was of a dark lemon yellow colour and possessed
the characteristic strong persistent odour of patchouli.
Chemical Examination.
The sample was examined in the Scientific and Technical Depart-
ment of the Imperial Institute, and gave the results recorded in the
following table, to which have been added the results given by
other samples of commercial patchouli oil.
_
Oil from Kellas
Estate.
Oil imported from
Singapore.
Oil distilled from
Patchouli leaves
in Germany.
Specific gravity
Optical rotation in 100
1
0-9525
|
0.957 to 0.965
0.970 to 0.995
mm. tube
Refractive index
—43° 31' 1
1.5063 1
— 44 0 to— 50°
— 50° to —68°
Solubility in 90 per cent.
V ** |
alcohol
1 in 7.4 vols.
1 in from 3 to 7
I in 1 vol.
i
1
vols.
These results indicate that this sample of patchouli oil from the
Kellas Estate is of fair quality, and that it conforms to the general
type of patchouli oils exported from Singapore.
Commercial Valuation.
A small sample of the oil was submitted, together with the results
of its chemical examination, to a firm of manufacturing perfumers
for commercial valuation. It is reported that the oil would pro-
bably be worth about i6r. per pound at present. It is also stated
that there has been a marked decrease in the consumption of pat-
chouli oil in perfumery in recent years, and that this, in conjunc-
tion with over-production in the Federated Malay States, Java and
Indo-China, has led to low prices for this oil.
The results of the investigation of these two oils show that they
are both of good quality and compare favourably in composition
with oils of the same type already imported into this country, and
that consignments would probably fetch good prices on the London
market.
(Sd.) WYNDHAM R. DUNSTAN.
1 6 th "June, 1905.
ON 3 INSECT PESTS OF MANGO TREES.
By J. Hewitt.
In the month of August of this year a gentleman living in Ku-
chfng called my attention to the sickly condition of many of his
Mango trees. On inspection ‘it was found that whole branches
gradually withered and died although the tree as a whole retained
its vitality. It was obvious that this was the ravages of some
insect for on splitting the dying branches one found the wood
penetrated by long tunnels which reached sometimes a length of
several feet. Apparently one individual insect can do much damage
for in these borings one branch never lodged more than one insect.
This was a large white fat grab with a small head and swollen
thorax, the anterior thoracic segment in particular being enlarged :
the thorax was provided with 3 pairs of rudimentary legs. The
abdomen was conspicuously segmented'; dorsally and ventrally all
the segments — with the exception of the last 2 abdominal, and the
first thoracic dorsally — bear tuberculated humps which seem to
subserve a gripping function. The length of the larva was 2 inches
or more. Fortunately I was able to find one adult insect and to rear
a pupa. As one could expect from a larva of the type des-
cribed it belonged to the longicorn beetles, the actual species being
Rhytidodera simulans White. This beetlo of length usually just
over an inch, is of a dull reddish brown colour marked with yellowish
spots which on the elytra are longitudinally elongated and arranged
so as to mark it irregularly by transverse bands.
400
Besides this however the same trees were infested by another
kind of larva whose work on the tree is more superficial. Its pre-
sence was revealed by finding on the surface of the bark long
arched tunnels of irregular direction reminding one of the similar
structures made by white ants : the delicate fabric of the arch was
made up of tiny particles of Mango bark closely bound together by
numerous silky filaments secreted by the animal. This larva was a
caterpillar of length about one inch : dorsally it is dark brown in
colour and its skin is chitinously thickened except at the joints
where it is thin and of a pale colour. Ventrally also it is pale.
Each segment bears a few bristly hairs: abdominal segments 3, 4,
5, 6 and 9 each have a pair of prolegs.
When this animal is irritated it vomits a dark brown juice.
It is usually to be found in a self constructed pit situated at one
end of the tunnel: it evidently leaves the tunnel at times— probably
at night for the bark of the tree has been gnawed away over a fairly
large area in the vicinity of the tunnel, To some extent this cater-
pillar also bores into the wood but scarcely sufficiently to do much
damage in that direction. A number of these larvae were taken
away in a corked tube in the hope of rearing the image: one cater-
pillar discovered the cork and entered it. This it riddled in all
directions and then constructed some arched tunnels on the surface.
After a period of about two months a small moth emerged from the
interior of the cork. It proved to be a species of Arbela, a genus
allied to the English Cossus, the goat moth. This small moth is
rather stout, has white hind wings and the pale front wings bear
two elongated brown spots. The third insect found on these trees
is the small beetle which Occurs in all stages of its life history in the
Mango fruit and which is so well known as not to require descrip-
tion again. It belongs to the family Curculionidae ( weevils ) and is
known as Cryptorhynchus mangiferas.
The infested trees were of the species, Mangifera foetida known
to Malays as Bachang or Lembachang.
John Hewitt.
RUBBER. PHOTOGRAPHS
The India-rubber Journal of July 31st, 1905, contains under the
International Rubber Planters Association notes, a series of 18 un-
usually fine photographs of Para Rubber and Ficus Elastica trees
taken by Mr. P. W. BURGESS in the Botanic Gardens and Lanadron
Estate. 1 he photographs show growth, methods of tapping the
crepe machine, and the prepared material, and form a most instruc-
tive series of photographs; explanatory notes are given with the
pictures. The pamphlet is on sale at the price of sixpence to mem-
bers of the association on application to the publishers. — Editor .
The Federated Engineering Company Limited.
Engineers, Iron and Brass Founders and Contractors.
Kuala Lumpur, October 24th, 1905.
Dear Sir, — Believing you to be interested in the economical
cultivation and production of India Rubber, we take the liberty of
laying before you a few of the advantages that may be obtained by
the use of our Rubber Washing and Rubber Rolling Machines.
As you are probably aware, we were the first to take up the
manufacture of a special machine for the treatment of freshly coa-
gulated latex, and in July, 1905, we exhibited an experimental
machine at the Agri-Horticultural Show held in Kuala Lumpur.
The machine was shown doing actual work and producing crepe
rubber from latex, kindly provided by many local planters.
The very great success of the machine and high enconiums
expressed by Mr. P. BURGESS, the Straits Government Analyst, on
the excellent results of using such a machine in purifying the rub-
ber, induced us to go further into the matter.
We were fortunate in obtaining orders for six machines during
the three days the Show was open, and we then re-designed our
machine and placed on the market our now well known 1904
Pattern.
Since then experience has taught us many little detailed improve-
ments and we are now suyplying our 1905 Pattern Washing
Machine and also a Rolling Machine of almost identical design ; the
only difference between the two being that the Rolling Machine has
smooth rollers and is geared to a 1 : 1 ratio instead of the fluted
rollers and 14 : 1 ratio of the Washer.
The advantages of using our Machines for the production of
marketable rubber are many and various, and the more important
points are briefly enumerated below: —
(1) The action of the rollers on the freshly coagulated latex is to
entirely remove all albumen, and other impurities which remain in
the rubber (to its consequent detriment) if made into biscuits.
(2) The crepe after being treated on the two machines has a
close, fine, even texture and is extremely thin, and can thus be
dried, without the aid of an artificial drying house, in about three
days, and is considerably easier to pack for shipment than in the
biscuit form.
(3) The machines working together will treat at the very least
one hundred pounds of dried rubber per hour or singly fifty pounds
per hour, and each machine requires from five to eight brake horse
power to drive it ; only one man is required to feed a machine and
the saving effected over the handmade biscuit process is obvious.
(4) By the manufacture of crepe rubber the disadvantages of
having a large number of coagulating dishes and trays are obviated
as the latex is all poured into one large receptacle and there
402
coagulated in bulk by the addition of Acetic Acid, Tannic Acid of
other coagulating agent, after which it is cut into slabs and fed into
the Washing Machine.
The process of making the crepe may be entirely carried out on
the Washing Machine and many estates are doing this, although a
much finer sample is obtained by passing the washed rubber through
the rolling machine, and most users are adopting' this system,
which produces crepe rubber of identical form and appearance with
that made by Home Manufacturers.
As you will understand, we have devoted a considerable amount
of time and money in experimenting in order to obtain the best
results possible, and in this connection, we have already had the
very hearty co-operation of the local Planters who continue to show
their faith in the crepe process by purchasing our machines.
We have made enquiries from Home Manufacturers and from
Agents in this part of. the world and have found that we are
offering machines to the public which compare favourably with any
manufactured elsew r here, and our price defies competition, w r hile
users have the advantage that our machines have been especially
designed for a specific purpose, viz , the treatment of freshly
coagulated latex, and are not tearing or mixing machines built on
Home experience, which is necessarily limited to the treatment of
rubber shipped from afar, and which requires softening before
treatment.
Our price for the Washing Machine is ^40 nett Cash ex Works,
and that of the Rolling Machine the same.
We also have in hand a mechanical, coagulating device which is
still in the experimental stage, but the principle of which has been
fully protected by the inventors and the machine will be very
shortly on the Market.
Trusting to hear from you and assuring you that we will at all
times be only too willing to give you any assistance possible on this
or any other subject which appertains to Machinery.
We are,
Dear Sir,
Yours faithfully,
The Federated Engineering Co., Ltd.
P. S.
Nett weight of Washing or Rolling Machine complete 1, 1 20 lbs.
Gross weight including packing ... ... 1,360 lbs.
REGISTER OP RAINFALL AT NEGRI
SEMBILAN HOSPITALS, FOR AUGUST, 1905,
Seremban.
K. Pilah.
Tampin.
Jeleb
u.
Port
Dickson.
Mantin.
Date.
j
In.
dcs.
i
In.
dcs.
In.
dcs.
In.
dcs.
In.
dcs.
In.
dcs.
1
, §
2
36
...
30
34
14
...
67
3
11
...
5 o
79
21
...
...
01
4
...
...
S
...
25
42
'5
6
23
...
09
13
...
...
2
24
7
...
...
...
10
1
00
08
8
1
31
~...
...
14
...
...
59
9
...
07
...
38
23
I
54
34
10
...
84
...
...
...
07
<55
08
11
...
67
1
3o
1
07
...
65
02
12
1
26
40
1
10
...
55
1
95
13
...
62
...
...
42
S 3
4
i 5
...
45
14
...
25
02
1
35
...
16
15
...
30
...'
40
...
...
16
...
...
...
...
...
3 i
...
1
32
17
...
. . .
...
...
°5
...
43
62
63
18
*T m
10
...
55
...
19
i
39
...
...j
OS
45
...
...
09
20
...
43
...
12
...
oS
23
82
21
...
A,.
...
...
...
30
22
...
. . .
-
24
02
...
...
2 3
27
oS
02
...
82
24
05
...
...
...
02
...
74
08
25
32
IS
...
24
...
22
...
34
26
1
39
...
1
35
23
...
1
24
27
...
...
75
...
...
...
80
02
28
...
...
...
...
...
03
...
29
...
...
...
...
...
30
...
...
...
...
* . «
3i
...
...
...
...
...
...
Total
9
62
4
5 o
7
33
3
37
14
74
9
81
State Surgeon’s Office, R- VAN GEYZEL,
Seremban, II th September, 1905. Apothecary.
404
SINGAPORE MARKET REPORT.
September, /go 5.
Articles.
I Quantity
7 Highes
1
t ! Lowest
sold.
price.
price.
Coffee — Palembang
1 Tons.
12
1 c .
1 2 5-oo
$ c.
24.00
Bali -
-
22.00
22.00
Liberian
j 78
25.00
1
j 23.00
Copra
- 3»955
7-55
1
6.95
Gambier
- 2,370
8-75
8-574
Cube Gambler, Nos. 1 & 2
- 345
12.25
11 -5°
Gutta Percha, 1st quality -
...
300.00
150.00
Medium
] -
200.00
90.00
Lower
80.00
/ 12.00
Borneo Rubber 1, 2, and 3
. . .
1 35 -oo
92.00
Gutta Jelutong
. . .
7.25
6.5O
Nutmegs, No. iio’s
...
35.oo
34.00
No. 8o J s - -
...
57.00
56.00
Mace, Banda -
...
87.00
80.00
Amboyna
...
55.00
54.00
Pepper, Black -
631
28.25
25.50
White (Sarawak)-
5S4
38.50
35.50
Pearl Sago, Small
...
4-374
4-8 7 i
Medium
• • »
Large
• • •
1
Sago Flour, No. z
3>i6o 1
3 - 1 7 i 1
2.85
No. 2 -
*55
.80
.80
Flake Tapioca, Small
604
7.60
7.30
Medium
« • *
../
"...
Pearl Tapioca, Small
hi
6.50
6.10
Medium -
495
6.90
6-35
Bullet
...
7.50
7.25
Tin *
1,620
83.50
80.12!
405
Export Telegram to Europe and America.
Fortnight ending i$tk September, igo$.
Wired at 2.55 P.M. on 16th September, 1905.
Tin
Str.
Singapore and Penang to United Kingdom &/or
Tons,
i, 066
Do.
f »
Do.
U. S. A.
530
Do.
II
Do.
Continent
505
Gambier
,,
Singapore
Glasgow
...
Do.
Do.
London
...
Do.
n
Do.
Liverpool
150
Do.
II
Do.
U. K. &/or Continent
Cube Gambier
w
Do.
United Kingdom
30
Black Prpper
Jl
Do.
Do.
...
Do.
Penang
Do.
...
White Pepper
Singapore
Do.
70
Do.
1*
Penang
Do.
...
Pearl Sago
II
Singapore
Do.
15
Sago Flour
It
Do.
London
75
Do.
1*
Do.
Liverpool
i,8oo
Do.
11
Do.
Glasgow
100
Tapioca Flake
II
Singapore & Penang
United Kingdom
85
T. Pearl & Bullets
>1
Do.
Do.
290
Tapioca Flour
n
Penang
Do.
50
Gutta Percha
it
Singapore
Do.
50
Buffalo Hides
11
Do.
Do.
55
Pineapples
11
Do.
Do. cases 5,500
Gambier
»i
Do.
U. S. A.
500
Cube Gambier
Do.
Do.
45
Black Pepper
H
Do.
Do.
240
Do.
„
Penang
Do.
150
White Pepper
11
Singapore
Do.
210
Do.
>1
Penang
Do.
40
T. Flake & Pearl
11
Singapore & Penang
Do.
500
Nutmegs
„
Do.
Do.
38
Sago Flour
n
Singapore
Do.
225
Pineapples
n
Do.
Do. cases 700
Do.
* )t
Do.
Continent
M 900
Gambier
Do.
S. Continent
I OO
Do.
Do.
N. Continent
270
Cube Gambier
n
Do.
Continent
50
Black Pepper
If
Do.
S. Continent
IOO
Do.
,,
Do.
N. Continent
30
Do.
If
Penang
S. Continent
10
Do.
„
Do.
N, Continent
to
White Pepper
„
Singapore
S. Continent
25
Do.
Do.
N. Continent
40
Do.
jj
Penang
S. Continent
Do.
)i
Do.
N. Continent
« »«
Copra
11
Singapore & Penang
Marseilles
640
Do.
• l
Do.
Odessa
820
Do.
11
Do.
Other South Continent
640
Do.
11
Do.
N. Continent
3,000
Sago Flour
1)
Do.
Continent
1,025
Tapioca Flake
if
Singapore & Penang
Do.
60
Do. Pearl
J*
Dos
Do.
iio
Vi
406
Copra
Str. Singapore
England
50
Gambier
1
Do.
U. S. A.
Cube Gambier
tt
Do.
Do.
T. Flake and Pearl
Do.
Do.
Sago Flour
tt
Do.
Do.
Gambier
Do.
S. Continent
...
Copra
Do.
Marseilles
Black Pepper
Do.
S. Continent
White Pepper
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
U. S. A.
...
Pineapples
it
Do.
Do.
...
Nutmegs
,,
Do.
Do.
...
Black Pepper
,,
Do.
Do.
Do.
n
Penang
Do.
...
White Pepper
Jt
Do.
Do.
T. Flake & Pearl
1
Do.
Do.
Nutmegs
,,
Do.
Do.
...
1,000 tons Gambier 1
370 ,, Black Pepper j
Contracts.
Export Telegram to Europe and America.
Fortnight ending 30th September, igo$ t
Wired at 2.30 p.m. on
2nd October, 1905.
Tons.
Tin
Str.
Singapore & Penang to United Kingdom &/or
2,2^0
Do.
n
Do.
U. S. A.
225
Do.
n
Do.
Continent
300
Gambier
ft
Singapore
Glasgow
Do.
tt
Do.
London
5°
Do.
ft
Do.
Liverpool
Do.
tt
Do.
U. K. &/or Continent
no
Cube Gambier
tt
Do.
United Kingdom
Black Pepper
fi
Do.
Do.
Do.
Penang
Do.
White Pepper
n
Singapore
Do.
190
Do.
n
Penang
Do.
Pearl Sago
Singapore
Do.
Sago Flour
»
Do.
London
300
Do.
ft
Do.
Liverpool
Do.
tt
Do.
Glasgow
25
Tapioca Flake
it
Singapore & Penang
United Kingdom
190
T. Pearl & Bullets
tt
Do.
Do.
125
Tapioca Flour
it
Penang
Do.
230
Gutta Percha
tt
Singapore
Do.
25
Buffalo Hides
**
Do.
Do.
30
Pineapples
n
To.
Do. cases
3,500
Gambier
>t
Do.
U. S. A.
320
Cube Gambier
11
Do.
Do.
*•«
Black Pepper
i>
Do.
Do.
250
Do.
tt
Penang
Do.
35
White Pepper
tt
Singapore
Do.
95
Do.
Penang
Do.
T. Flake & Pearl
tt
Singapore & Penang
Do.
260
Nutmegs
Do.
Do.
22
Sago Flour
n
Singapore
Do,
50
Tons.
Pineapples
Str.
Singapore
To U. S. A.
cases 1,750
Do.
It
Do.
Continent
.> 2,000
Gambier
n
Do.
S. Continent
25
Do.
Do.
N. Continent
325
Cube Gambier
ti
Do.
Continent
70
Black Pepper
lil
Do.
S. Continent
20
Do.
Do.
N. Continent
10
Do.
>>
Penang
S. Continent
IO
Do.
Do.
N. Continent
...
White Pepper
Singapore
S. Continent
5
Do.
Do.
N. Continent
So
Do.
u
Penang
S. Continent
...
Do.
Do.
N. Continent
...
Copra
t|
Singapore & Penang
Marseilles
200
Do.
Do.
Odessa
200
Do.
Do.
Other S. Continent
...
Do.
Do.
N. Continent
380
Sago Flour
)>
Singapore
Continent
250
Tapioca Flake
,,
Singapore & Penang
Do.
I7S
Do. Pearl
Do;
Do.
140
Copra
,,
Singapore
England
So
Gambier
n
Do.
U. S. A.
...
Cube Gambier
M
Do.
Do.
T. Flake & Pearl
n
Do.
Do.
Sago Flour
>»
Do.
Do.
...
Gambier
))
Do.
S. Continent
Copra
ft
Do.
Marseilles
...
Black Pepper
>1
Do.
S. Continent
White Pepper
,,
Do.
Do.
Do.
,,
Do.
U. S. A.
Pineapples
„
Do.
Do.
...
Nutmegs
Do.
Do.
Black Pepper
,,
Do.
T)o.
...
Do.
„
Penang
Do.
White Pepper
,,
Do.
Do.
T. Flake & Pearl
tt
Do.
Do.
Nutmegs
jt
Do.
Do.
...
1,450 tons Gambler j Contr acts.
260 ,, Black Pepper J
Singapore.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings for the month of September, i 9 o 5 .
Kandang Kerbau Hospital Observatory,
Singapore, i 6 th October , 1905.
A. B. LEICESTER,
Meteorological Observer,
D. K. McDowell,
Principal Civil Medical Officer , S. S.
Penang.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings in the Prison Observatory for the month of September, 1005.
(ft
15
V
Temperature.
Hygrometer.
t/5 1
G
>
i_
=> ■
0
-+■
District.
Mean Barometrical Piessi
32 0 Fah.
Mean Maximum in Sun.
Mean Dry Bulb.
6
s
e
rt
§
G
S 3
s
Mean Minimum.
Mean Range.
Mean Wet Bulb.
Mean Vapour Tension.
Mean Dew Point.
Mean Humidity.
O
G
.O
'Xj
O
<D
i-
s
c
>
<D
£
J Total Rainfall.
Greatest Rainfall during 2
Ins.
°F
°F
°F
°F
°F
°F
°F
°F
%
Jns.
■ Ins.
Criminal Prison Observatory ...
29*862
141-8
79-8
00
CO
73-1
1 5’°
747
•760
7°’44
69
s.
00
6
1-72
M. E. SCRIVEN, S. LUCY,
Acting Colonial Surgeon , Penang .
Colonial Surgeon’s Office,
Penang, nth October, 1905.
Assistant Surgeon.
Malacca.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings for the month of September, igo$.
Id
£
3
Temperature.
Hygrometer.
Cfl
OS
a
<D
1
£
bjo
CL
M-t
*
G
District,
"cd
jj
c
-
*
c
0
3
ns
i_
(D
a
=3
CO
c
.0
"p
CQ
_Q
3
CQ
.0
*cn
•
u
<u
w.
1
G
0 .
is
cd cd
C 0
cd «
<u CO
a
3
t E
'S
cd
>>
Ui
Q
c
cd
<u
E
3
.9
• K
cd
a
p
a
■5
<L)
b£
C
cd
4 ~>
13
&
C
cd
C
<u
H
W
3
0
cu
+j
.a
*3
Cl
£
E
5
bn
G
"cd
>
cd
<4-.
_G
cd
cd
"cd
cd
Gd
Cfi V 3
B 3
cd 0
s
Si
s
St
is
g
s
cd ,
>
0
Q
3
£
£
CL
O
H
0
Durian Daun Hospital
29-815
1560
82-6
88-2
75 ’i
13*2
8o-i
•998
72-0
89
E.
3 ' 54 i
*98
Colonial Surgeon’s Office,
Malacca, 17 th October , 1905.
F. B. CROUCHER,
Colonial Surgeon, Malacca.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings
Perak.
in the various Districts of the State for the month ofSeptembcr_ /905.
District.
Taiping
Kuala Kangsar
Batu Gajah
Gopeng
Ipoh
Kampar
Teluk Anson
Tapah
Parit Buntar
Bagan Serai
Selama
aJ
u o
<u ■
s
c
u
rt
CQ
CL,
a
p
CO
S
p
£
150
160
Temperature.
£
p
pa
i_
a
G
rt
Sl^O
79 ' 47
80-44
79- 90
79*93
80- 51
8 0- 2I
81- 96
81-07
81-09
State Surgeon's Office,
Taiping, io^ October, 1905.
£
p
£
‘S3
93
92
92
93
92
91
92
94
92
9i
£
p
£
68
68
68
64
70
65
6 7
65
7 1
67
69
CD
bn
c
rf
C4
25
24
24
29
22
24
27
2 3
25
22
cc
-4-»
<U
&
c
cd
Hygrometer.
o
CL,
cd
>
76*68
75- 24
76- 06
75*41
76-09
76-7,
75- ^9
7T3 1
76- 30
76*75
856
821
843
821
85 1
87O
829
876
845
864
o
PH
£
<U
Q
*£
p
X
o
.2
-4a
o
CD
5
bn .
c
'£ .£
£
79
81
81
80
83
84
80
81
79
81
.£
*c3
&
-+->
o
7-84
9- 04
7- 81
12-29
10*96
I4‘20
10- 72
14*08
13-80
8- 41
12-30
bn
m o
0) -G
cd tJ-
<D M
1—1
a
2-07
2-64
1*81
2-73
i‘59
2-57
1- 72
2- 84
2-38
4*i 1
2-40
M. J. WRIGHT,
State Surgeon.
Selangor,
Pahang.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings in the various Districts of the State for the month of April, ,905
Kuala Lipis
Raub
Bentong
Pekan
Kuala Kuantan
Temerloh
95’°
920
94' 5
90*0
900
93-0
70-0
67*0
69'5
72*0
68-o
72*0
19-40
. . .
...
...
...
20-40
. ...
....
...
...
18-35
....
...
...
13-25
...
...
...
...
14-10
...
...
...
...
i6‘20
...
. • •
...
270
4‘43
6*63
674
8’55
4*4i
1-04
1-58
1-62
2*64
3*75
i’35
*tr
Kuala Lipis,
7 th October , 1905.
W. H. FRY,
State Surgeon , Pahang .
Pahang.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings in the various Districts of the State for the month of May, 1905.
District.
4
Mean Barometrical
Pressure at 32 0 Fah.
Maximum in Sun.
Temperature.
Hygrometer.
Prevailing Direction
of Winds.
Total Rainfall.
Greatest Rainfall dur-
ing 24 hours.
PjF
Mean Dry Bulb.
Maximum.
Minimum.
Range.
-O
PQ
1
G
c«
O
5
G
.O
*53
G
<U
H
0
a,
aJ
Dew point.
1
Humidity.
1
Kuala Lipis
Raub
Bentong
Pekan
Kuala Kuantan
Temerloh
...
. . .
...
94- 0
92*0
92.0
89.0
89.0
95 - °
700
7 o-o
6 9‘5
72*0
70*0
72-0
17*84
16*74
1 6*39
1235
12*78
15-90
* * *
* * •
...
9-88
4-56
7*01
9*16
7*82
10*26
2-93
•85
I ‘ 5 °
4*8 r
i- 5<5
I- 5 °
Kuala Lipis,
7 th October , 1 90 5.
W. H. FRY,
State Surgeon , Pahang .
Pahang.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings in the various Districts of the State for the month of June, 1905.
Kuala LIpis,
7th October , 1905.
District.
Mean Barometrical Pres-
sureat 3 2° Fah.
Maximum in Sun.
Temperatmre.
Hygrometer.
Mean dry Bulb.
•
Maximum.
Minimum.
Range.
Mean Wet Bulb.
Tapour Tension.
Dew Point.
Humidity.
Kuala Lepis
'*
1
93’°
69*0
18*86
...
...
Raub
93*°
69*0
18-96
...
...
Bentong
92*0
68*5
18-80
...
Pekan
90*0
72-0
14*01
. . .
Kuala Kuantan ...
91-0
72*0
12-96
. . *
Temerloh
...
...
95‘°
72*0
1690
u
<D
Qc
*e3
>
<l>
ci
C
'rt
ps5
o.
H
4*17
2* 16
3‘9 2
3' 6 5
6*26
2*95
3
d
.§ *
J
-M ’f
SS N
■a g>
CD C
O
17,3
70
1*00
i*i6
3-26
•85
W. H. FRY,
State Surgeon , Pahang,
Pahang.
Abstract^ ofhleteorological Readings in the various Districts of the State for the month of July, , 9 o 5 .
District.
Mean Barometrical
Pressure at 32° Fah.
Maximum in Sun.
Temperature.
Hygrometer.
Prevailing Direction
of Winds.
Total Rainfall.
Greatest Rainfall dur-
ing 24 hours.
Mean Dry Bulb.
i
•
Maximum.
| Minimum.
Range.
Mean Wet Bulb.
Vapour Tension.
Dew Point.
Humidity.
Kuala Lipis
-
-Vj
—
Raub
...
• • .
93 0
68*o
18-58
• a ' -
Bentong
• . •
...
94 '°
68-o
1831
• • •
5'64
1 -83
Pekan
* w
92'0
68-5
1891
...
5*6 r
1 23
Kuala Kuantan
* . .
90*0
7 °- 5
I 4 T 3
. . *
3*96
77
Temerloh
■ • ■
89*0
7 i*o
12-93
■ • •
5*84
2’ 1 1
* * *
...
96-0
72'0
16*45
3*24
1*12
—
|
...
279
*6l
ng.
Kuala Lipis,
7 th October , 1905.
W. H. FRY,
State Surgeon , Paha,
Pahang.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings in the various Districts of the State for the month of August, 190$.
District.
i
Maximum in Sun.
Temperature.
Hygrometer.
Prevailing Direction
of Winds.
Total Rainfall.
Greatest Rainfall dur-
ing 24 hours.
L\\>
Mean Barometrical
Pressure at 3 2° 1
£
3
pa
■b
Q
a
c3
<L>
•
Maximum.
d
* 1
i
s
Range.
Mean Wet Bulb.
Vapour Tension.
•
Dew Point.
Humidity.
•
Kuala Lipis
Raub
Bentong
Pekan
Kuala Kuantan
Temerloh .
...
...
* #.
,? ■ ■ —
92*0
92*0
94-0
89.0
91*0
92-0
67*0
67-0
68*5
71*0
71*0
70-0
17*97
17*82
18-16
14-81
12*78
16-53
...
4‘37
9T9
5 ‘33
4*22
7*10
4’53
I '02
1 77
1-30
i *53
1*92
1 ‘45
Kuala Lipis,
7 th October , 1905.
W. H. FRY,
State Surgeon , Pahang .
Palian g .
Abstract of Meteorogical Readings in the various Districts of the State for the month of September, , 9 o 5 .
4 ^
l—l
oa
Muar,
Abstract .of Meteorological Readings for the month of September , 1905.
District.
Mean Barometrical Pressure at 32 0
Fah. ..
Maximum in Sun.
Temperature.
Hygrometer.
Prevailing Direction of Winds.
Total Rainfall.
Greatest Rainfall during 24 hours.
Mean Dry Bulb.
Maximum.
Minimum. |
Range.
Mean Wet Bulb. |
Vapour Tension.
Dew Point.
Humidity.
Lanadron Estate ...
i
...
8o°
89°
7 i°
V
1 8°
74°
...■
...
6*92
1*69
Muar, 3 rd October, 1905.
ROGER PEARS
The Duff Development Company, Limited, Kelantan.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings for the month of September, ic/og.
i , , ■
Temperature.
r
Rainfall.
District.
1
l
1
Maximum.
h
£
a
.£
’£
!
Range.
Total Rainfall.
it
3
JO
S3 ,!
•i d
; e3 g
4 -» tJ*
ss ^
rt w
1-1
0 *
Mean.
°F
Mean.
°F
Mean.
°F
Inches.
Inches.
Kuala Lebir
,
88*0
70*4
176
979
2*15
UIu Liang
86-9
71*5
J 5’9
9'°4
2'02
Kuala Kelantan
85-6
7°’3
12-3
4*36
V17
Surgeon’s Office, JOHN a ciMLETTE,
ii th October , 1905. Surgeon
METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.
Table Showing the Daily Results of the Reading of Meteorological Observations taken
i C! AHA-mV\on frn 1 t.llP IVf OTl til of A ll&fUSt* 1905*
Temperature of radiation.
Temperature of
radiation.
Date.
9
H
*5
H
Mean.
Maximum.
Minimum.
Range.
a
sf
W
Ditterence sun
and shade.
Grass.
Uitterence snaue
and radiation.
0
O
0
O
O
O
O
O
0
O
1 '
77
80
785
86
72
14
148
62
...
2 1
79
86
825
87
72
15
15*
64
3
79
78
00
U\
86
72
14
143
57
... .
4
78
80
79
S6
72
*4
154
68
...
5
81
88
84*5
88
73
15
156
68
...
6 !
73
80
76-5
85
73
12
96
11
...
7
73
82
77’5
86
73
13
*45
59
...
8 '
76
78
77
86
72
i4
136
50
...
9
77
78
77'5
85
72
13
*35
50
10
81
80
8o‘5
84
70
14
156
72
...
11
77
78
775
84
70
14
145
61
12
77
8 a
805
84
73
it
156
72
*3
-
70
82
79
84
7 2
12
*55
7*
...
*4
80
83
815
84
7 1
13
*35
5*
...
*5
79
84
81-5
86
7*
i5
*44
58
16
74
83
78'5
85
7 1
H
*43
58
17
l 76
83
79'5
84
72
12
125
4*
18
[ 75
80
77*5
82
72
10
**5
33
...
*9
82
77
79'5
87
73
14
*57
70
...
20
81
79
80
86
7*
*5
146
1 60
...
21
! 77
83
80
84
73
11
*53
| 69
—
22
79
85
82
85
72
13
142
1 57
...
23
76
82
79
87
71
16
*53
1 66
...
24
75
S3
79
84
73
ii
*57
73
25
77
76
7 6*5
81
73
11
*49
65
...
26
74
84
1 79
85
7 1
i5
144
58
...
27
72
83
78
86
7 l
15
148
62
...
28
79
86
82*5
86
70
16
*57
7*
...
29
79
87
83
88
73
15
*55
67
...
30
83
87
85
1 87
72
15
146
59
...
3*
75
1
84
i 79 5
86
7i
15
156
70
1
Wind.
Direction.
9
H
*5
H
S.E.
S.E.
E.
S.E.
S.E.
S.E.
S.E.
S.E.
N.E.
S.E.
S.E.
S.E.
S.E.
S.E.
S.E.
S.E.
S.E.
S.E.
S.E,
S.W.
S.E.
E.
S.E.
S.E.
S.E.
S.E.
S.E.
S.E.
S.E.
S.E.
S.E.
S.E.
S.E.
S.W.
S.E.
S.E.
S.E.
S.N.
S.E.
N.S.
S.E.
S.E.
N.E
S.
S.
s.
S.
s.
Temperature
of evaporation.
C 'tnputed
vapour tension.
Relative \q
humidity.
Houdsotoio. a
9
15
9
*5
9
15
$
9
*5
21 <
H
H
d
o3
O
H
H
d
(1)
H
H
d
3
H
H
H 1
S
S
S
O
0
0
in.
in.
in.
0
0
P
7 3 * 6
76 *6
75'*
0*829
ygi 6
0*872
89
90
89'5
0
5
0
7 2 '3
74'
73**
793
•855
*824
80
68
74
0
3
10
73 ‘9
7 6 '3
75** (
'839
•906
•872
85
94
89*5
0
10
5
1 72-9
76*6
747 ‘
*8io
•916
•863
84
90
87
0
3
5
74 ‘2
73 '3
73*7
•849
•819
•834
80
61
75
0
0
5
69-5
73'3
7**4
•722
*820
77*
89
80
84'5
10
3
10
69*5
75'3
724
•722
00
799
89
80
84'5
5
2
3 i
69*2
74*6
7*'9
7*3
•857
785 I
79
89
84
3
10
5
73 ‘ 6
72*9
73‘2
*829
•810
: *819
89
84
86*5
3
5
5
72*6
76*6
746
*802
*916
■859
76
90
83
0
10
5
73*6
| 76-3
74'9
829
•906
■867
89
94
9*'5
3
10
5
. | 7 *'9
74'
7 2 '9
783
.840
1 *8i 1
84
72
78
2
0
3
1 69*2
72*
70*6
7*3
785"
1 *749
79 1
72
75*5
3
0
O
75'
73'
74*
•867
•810
1 -838
85
72
78-5
0
0
O
73 '9
72*4
73'*
■839
794
‘816
85
68
7 6 '5
0
0
O
7 2 ‘3
747
73'S
793
1 *856
•824
94
76
85
5
3
O
! 7°'9
747
72*8
*856
•856
■806
| 84
76
80
3
3
O
f\
71 *6
7 6*6
74*1
774
•916
*845
89
90
89-5
3
3
r. 73*6
73-6
73'6
-830
•829
■829
7 6
89
82*5
0
v\ .
0
• 74' 2
73-9
74'
. '849
■839
*844
80
85
82*5
0
10
10
73 ' 6
74'7
74'*
•829
•856
742
89
76
82*5
3
3
5
:. 7 2 ’3
71*8
72*
793
*781
*787
80
64
72
0
0
0
7 2 ' 6
73' 6
73 ’*
■801
■830
•815
89
76
82*5
3
5
3
71*6
73*
7 2 '3
774
•810
' 792
89
72
80 *5
3
5
0
73*6
72*6
I 73'*
*829
j -8ot
‘815
89
89
89
2
10
3
723
74*
73' *
793
! '840
| *8 16
V 94
72
83
5
0
3
69-5
73*
712
•722
•810
•766
89
72
80*5
5
3
3
72-3
76*6
74*4
793
•916
j '854
80
90
85
0
0
0
73*9
73’9
73’9
■839
.837
.838
85
65
75
1 0
0
0
V. 73’
73'9
73'4
,8’0
837
•823
72
65
68*5
0
0
0
:. 647
69* 1
66'9
■612
.710
l
j .661
7°
60
65
3
0
0
Cloud
nd weathc
Initials.
Rain.
B
B
B
R
C
C
c
B
C
B
C
B
B
.C .
C
C
B
B
C
B
C
C
B
C
C
B
B
B
C
C
C
R
C
B
C
B
R
C
R
R
B
B
P
B
C
C
c
c
B
C
c
R
B
C
B
B
B
B
B
R
C
C
c
R
c
c
c
c
c
c
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
R
C
B
C
B
C
C
C
B
B
B
B
•36
.11
■23
*-3i
.07
.84
.67
1.26
.62
•30
1-39
•43
.27
.05
•32
1-39
State Surgeon's Office,
SEREMBAN, ii th September % 1905.
R, VAN GEYZEL,
Apothecary .
Total 962
VQAPO
AGRICULTURAL BULLETIN ^
OF THE
STRAITS
AND
FEDERATED MALAY STATES
No. ii.]
NOVEMBER, 1905 •
[VOL. IV.
A BARK FUNGUS ON PARA RUBBER.
an^ppearan^often*of S 'hierogl)^)hiS baI Attackirigusuany tte^upper
from its conspicuous whitish color, and easily dealt with by destroy
to? infected branches, and in the case of the trunk being affected by
scraping it off and treating with copper sulphate and lime.
Hitherto there has been no record of it in the Peninsula but Mr.
R BURGESS sends a stick covered with it from Sunge p
Perak He writes that he has seen a few trees suffering from it on
Plang Estate. It attacks the upper branches of the tree which die if
not attended to. The Manager, Mr. Philips says that a mixture of
I ime and. Copper sulphate appears to kill the growth of the fungu.
antT many trees have been saved thereby. It is by no means wide
spread appearing only occasionally on a few trees, and no seriou
damage Is done fany branches found to be affected are immediately
cut off and burned. The tree from which the specimen was taken
is about 3 years old, planted ten by ten on the side of a hill with
coffee interplanted at the same distance looking perfectly health,
and showing excellent growth.
The close planting in this ca® confirms my suggestion made
previously that this is really the cause of the development of the
plant a somewhat similar pest occurring on bushes of Strobilanthes
and Ramie in wet weather chiefly when overcrowded and is another
reason for planting further apart if any additional reason were
wanted. The treatment adopted by Mr. BURGESS is the best pos-
sible under the circumstances and by means of this system it shou d
not be difficult to prevent this fungus from becoming seriously
injurious, but planters must of course keep an eye on any appearance
of the plant and treat it promptly. In tall trees it may be difficult
1 4>!?4X>
424
to detect if it appears high up, but its colour makes it pretty easy
to see at some distance, so that it need not be allowed to make
headway in the Estate. — Editor.
REPORT ON THE EXPERIMENTAL TAPPING OF
PARA RUBBER TREES IN THE BOTANIC
GARDENS, SINGAPORE, FOR
THE YEAR 1904.
nf P KK ha ? l b ? en J s ? m ewhat delayed for the reason that
of ah the rubber obtained in 1904 the sales took place in 1905
and only by the last mail, October 28th, 1905, was the result of the
last sale received.
THE SEASON’S WORK.
For the year 1904 a sum of $ 1,200 was voted by the Legis-
iative Council at Singapore for the experimental tapping of the
rubber trees at the Botanic Gardens. Altogether 880 trees were
tapped; these were arranged in 84 groups, and 88 4 i * lbs. of dry
rubber obtained. This was sent home in four lots for sale and
realized a sum of $2,440, against an expenditure of $1,200.
The highest price obtained was 6/9J, a price at which very
few' other parcels sold, and for the last lot reported by the mail of
28th October, 1905, Messrs. Hecht, Levis and Khan of 36
henchurch Street write “As you will see from the account sales
we ^obtained for the thin biscuits 6/3} per lb. which was the
highe s t price paid at the time for the finest Ceylon “ biscuits.”
All the rubber was prepared in the form of “ biscuits ” and dried
with the aid of Calcium chloride.
the general plan.
As this has been the largest experiment yet attempted in the
Colony or the Federated Malay States a summaty of the work
performed may be of general interest, but we must explain that
while we are aware that figures dealing with trees starting at 4 or
0 years old and onwards would be most interesting such material
was not at hand at the time. It is best to state here that the
garden trees comprise the first Para treest brought to the Straits
and from these original trees all the trees within the Singapore
gardens have been raised. These were' planted at varying dis-
tances on the o nly land available, a low-lying swamp, partly old
prepaid too i S o!n SCraP,a ” dSOmer “ bb,:r f ° r Analyst, but
f This report refers to Para Rubber only, i.e. Hevea braziliensis.
indigo ground and partly old vegetable gardens which had become
overgrown with scrub. Several vacancies have occurred and on
the other hand many seedlings have crept in, but taking the lot
as a whole (excepting the original trees) they may be said to be
from 19 to 20 years old, although from close planting and natural
seedlings which have helped to park the ground, many of the
inside trees have remained almost stationary in growth for some
years. Under these circumstances we have endeavoured to illus-
trate the yield of trees by a convenient unit of standard which
shows the ratio of yield to every inch of girth as measured at
3 feet from the ground. As a matter of fact, the yield per acre for
a stated age, although a' natural question, is a difficult one. Trees
of the same age vary considerably and depend on many conditions.
The material point Is What is the average girth? then the yield
can be calculated fairly approximately.
It should be further stated that these experiments are likely
to be continued over several years and many points not touched
on in this report have not been overlooked but crowded out in the
first year’s work.
At the outset, a census of nearly all the trees of or about
bearing age was made and altogether 1,285 trees were registered,
showing age, girth at 3 feet from ground, whether previously
tapped or not, and description of habit of the tree. This register
is now important as shewing the annual increment of growth, and
the result of annual tappings of the same trees.
From the register, groups of trees were selected according to
girth — from 1 ft. 6 in. to 5 or 6 ft., these were arranged into groups,
and tapped by different methods and intervals during several
months of the year, and the results recorded. Trial tappings
were made in the months of March, April, May and June but we
were not satisfied with the consistency or flow of latex and a
definite start was deferred until July.
The arrangement of the different groups for experiment,
methods and periods of tapping, dry rubber obtained, and other
details, are best shewn in the following summarized tabulated
statements, details of which have been already published in the
Agricultural Bulletin , S. S. and for September and
November, 1904, and April and May, 1905, (^*Appendicesz3. B.,
C. and D.). We pause to mention that in these experiments, the
comparative yield only, by dij/erent methods of tapping, was
attempted and not the maximum yield.
* Not printed.
EXPERIMENT
426
be
g cd -£
g H 5
5*0 «
<S'S|
a,,“
|-5uiddBX jo [B4J3JUJ
Daily
excepting
Sundays.
...
I 'iijjiS jo qoui jod
I pjapC aAi;BJBduio3
K ^ 0 ^ S5 S O ° N N
- 1 - t - -
M g £ ^ § | ■§ e £ £
I 'PRA I®*U
a *$ *$
O •* ■ w
j 00 00
11
[
i
Dry Rubber.
)
Evening.
w . i/s* if* «f*t
M C*3 Tf M CO
O •-.
lbs.
I
• 2
3
6
5
Morning.
. H« nht - H+ H*
m N « w 00 CO
j» « <n eo « 00
■paddRX sauiix
JOtniniO'JOwo'Oiauoiri
| -Suiddej, jo apopy
Oblique Reversed.
Long Oblique.
Oblique Reversed.
Long Oblique.
Single Incisions.
Oblique Reversed.
Long Oblique.
Long Oblique,
Single Incisions.
Single Incisions.
•psddEX
S33J A J° ’°N
irtmirjmLninwotoioia
I ’punojS uiojj *jj C
1 ie qjjiS o^eSajSSy
C Hb «1 ’ -If »N- »lj -t+ H* ita H]M
•-* •^->-iCOOOO't'ir>«C 4 a>
►-* M
+J « CO VO 00 « COts.<MOO
Ctl 11 M M w 01 w W 01 OJ
| ’dnoj£)
*
I 'jaqiunjsi Suisjjoav
~ a* a > > - J3 a > >
EXPERIMENT II.
427
Remarks.
180 ft. 8f in.
Period July and August
177 ft. 8 in.
•SuiddEJ, JO JBAJOJUJ
Alternate Days.
Daily.
»
Alternate Days.
Daily.
it
it
•qj.iiS jo qou; jad
PPpC OAIJEJEduiO^
i i i . i
t = S = ■» t s s - •* . =
•8 II 1
D Op O
‘PI a ?A I B }°L
g' « ^
0
lbs.
54
49 *
as
a
w
ca
O
£4
><
os
Q
Evening.
. .nkf wit wit -it
^ h4! (1 4- Cl ^
O " ” ”
to &Ol >D N 00
£
Morni ng.
— 1« -It -if" «|t nit
£ Ov h. 11 \£> tj- CO
.0 M
22 00 00 00 1- >40 O
jQ H HH
•poddux samix
VOvO CO 00 rj- 00 VO VO CO CO wr 00
■Suidd^x jo apojq
Long Oblique.
t>
H
Single Incisions.
Herring Bone.
Long Oblique.
Single Incisions.
Herring Bone.
•paddex
sdojx P 'ON
OO O O O OOO O O O O
H H f-4 +* HH HI »H 1-4 M M *-l
•punojS uiojj -jj C
jb qjJiS ojESaiSSy
• n|tn|t i)t -It wjt -In -It nit -It -It
fi to 00 0. tr co tf- tt- ov ^ co 9 vo
t- 1 oor^vo cow NC^.t>.r^ov« n
fa NNNCOCOCOtaCINNCOCO
•dnoxr)
I
II
I
II
■jaqumfq guiqjOjW
EXPERIMENT III.
428
s
a
Pi
bJ)
3
<
SuiddHJ^ JO [BAJ9JUJ
Alternate Days
Daily
Alternate
Daily
■qpnS JO qoui Jad
Pt^H oAijHJBduio^
N g N g N g N
0 0 0 0 0 0 0
-*■ - "*«■ -H* - - ** ^
s | i | ' ' t ‘ ‘ | 8
O D 0 D O 5 0
PI 3 JA I^OX
. He-
'S vo o
3
lbs.
40
37
Dry Rubber.
Evening.
H He nht- He* rtH- He
N CO rf O 00 w o\
O M w »_
lbs.
9
7
3
3
5
7
Morning,
|£ H* ihN- -nw
S O On CO hh
O 0
j« H- H- VO VO CTv O
■paddujL sauiji
*0 vo CO 00 vn 10 vo vo vn of to 00
•Suidd^x jo opojy
Long Oblique
Single Incisions
Herring Bone
9t
n
Long Oblique
Single Incisions
Herring Bone
•paddex
saaax jo om
OOOOOOOOO OOO
MMCl.WI-lWl-IHl'Hf W »l
•punoiS tuojj *jj £ •
IJJJlS 9JB§9J5^Y
l
rl nH 1 H* nf* n [e h» min He r-|e He* He
i±J 00 O' iO OV«vo Ov CO m m 0\ O
rt* Cn f> v£) m N <o^ N f* VO CON
H*" 1- CO CO CO CO CO CO i-f 1-, COCO
:
•dnoj£)
~ K - s" ~ S ~ S
uaquinjsj Suijjjo^.
~ > s > > K > E
164 ft. 4jr in.
EXPERIMENT IV.
429
Remarks.
Period September,
* October and
November.
315 ft. nj in.
315 ft. 10^ in.
■Suiddnx }0 [EAjajuj
Daily
Alternate
»
Daily
Daily
Alternate
Daily
>J
’ip.ii§ jo qoux jod
PJOIjC 3 AtJBJEdui 03
. « N . . N . . N . N N . . . • N . •
NOOnnOnnO n OOnjNNNOnN
0 0 0 0 0 rtIe) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
-ht H jh < 4 tr+t ^ M|« j_< * 4 + u u u
S Tl 'O S 4) T) SJ 5 ] S’O'OjjUDDTliua)
>CC>>C>>C >CC>>>>C>>
ODDOOPOOD ODDOOOODOO
‘PI 9 !A P**>x
phIm H*»
•* 00 co 1
M **
O
tO HH 1
£ C\ t"-
Dry Rubber.
Evening.
■ Ht«H- H"
S eo <N ioi>.co fN o* r-vo 0
0 -
« 't tJ- rh ^ f>vO 06 - O Q\
jQ H H
Morning.
. r+f iw "<|C 5 >-+* >-+<■ MhJ-
“5 >tr 50 0 OlCOtN
O w w M hH IH
*2 10 t* tj- ^t-oo & Tt ti- 0
XI 1-1 <-> hi «
•paddex saunx
cooooooooocccooooocococo 0000 qo 00 00 00 00 00
•Suiddex jo apow
V
a
0
CQ
c
a>
w
■paddex
S 331 X JO -OM
2222222222222 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
■punojS raojj 'jj C
je qwiS ajESaiSSy
• wH-nhtwht-Mhf «hf H«r 4 + H+kI-* «W- hIs h]si jsw —■lei
oooO'is'flHNHHOoo'iBTtHOioNHOon
M M Mf 0\
*■ NnonNNMNHHNHnClHN [V,00 « w
mh NNfifiwncoto't'd-WNNNonnt'jt'f
■dnojQ' -
■jaquin^ Sun[io^
~ ~ ~ - > nr >
£/«>?
EXPERIMENT
430
Remarks.
Period.
Nov. and Dec.
S
O
1— 1
■ 4-3
$
CO
.S
N
<+3
CO
O
CO
•Suiddex J° IRAJ3 ;uj
W
rtf'
r iJ
<D
% ~ ~
\
0}
<
•qpirf) jo qoui aad
Pt a iA SAijRjndiuoQ
NN . N N NNN.N N
OOMNqO^JNNNNOOONONMwO
H+ H* 0 0 H« H« 0 0 0 0 0 "It r+fr «H- 0 rtR 0 0 0 H«
n ^ w u •*»>«« -4c. -*»H+ u u ^ u HaHc^n u
-a ’■O d> 0JT3O3 <u in a; <u i;T3 r o r O ajns £ £ £ t3
SC>>EC>>>>>^CC>C>>>C
DDOOSDOOOOODDDODOOO^
T
[aii iejox
O *-
w M
On in
0 00
Dry Rubber,
Evening
I «ht
1 n ■e-oo «i -e- t co Lo m
j 0 ~ M M " M
«0 , GON « ’t ^-inNiO ,
M W M M
Morning.
■ H+ i-ijei nht H» »|it Ht Hoi Hoi H«
N ^-'st-<N<N-sf'<NNu">MLO
O wMMi-i 1-1 hi w
25 « N -tuiOi Cvt£> tv. w 0
S ,_ M N
-psddux satuxx
im^tNNON(?i^^^'tici'ciNtvqo\'^'d-Tr -e-
H H M H H H CfldC^I — IMMI— 11 — 1 HI 01
■Jouiddux J° 3P°IM
<U
c
o
ffl
-* = S- = 5t--
c ~
'£
k
•poddnx
S99JX P 'ON
22222 hh 2 hhi?h 2 i 222 SSS 2
•punoiS mojj ’jj £
je qpnS ojeSajSSy
• Hit toH- «H- «H- ii|« «R- H« rH]«i
.5 0\ CO CO 3 VO COO * 3 - CO vo CO CO O OO O VO m Ov O 00
..-H tv tv Cl Cl tv tv tv N Cs tv tv 00 CO N M3 CO tvVO VO VO
HHNNn«rocorj-^HHnn«ofoto^v
■dno. ;*)
■jaquin^ Su|jjao^\
~ ~ 5 > > ~ = = > >
EXPERIMENT VI.
43 1
Remarks.
Period December
and January.
333 ft. ioi in.
331 ft. 2 in.
•SurddBj, J° [eaj3;ui
Daily
Daily
Daily
Alternate Days
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Alternate Days
Daily
•qjjiS jo ipui jo d
p[3lX aAijRjedujo^
N N N . N N
^ N O O N N O N ° . O
O O rticl O O O He , rtjc
hH- rt|B ^ -h|m ' >4+ , 1* U 1-1
in >_ aa <u ^ ^ ^ aa <u
gsr'S’SsS'SSal
O -5 £> S 0 0 S 0 D S
Tl 9 !A F 4 °i
mH- H»
W to «
0 M
• n On
2 2 ON
a .
w
m
pa
0
OS
S
0
b«
M
c
OJ
>
a
. rtla rtH-
tn in 10 tJ* 1-1
O M M M
tn « no VO *0 ■ t'.
JD w w W «
bo
.5
’3
o
S
S2 nht hh- mh-
3 NO N ■+ lO CC
m 10 O t>. ^ ro
-Q « ci m w m
■paddex S9U1 IX
<m 1-1 w m oo w « m moo
«■ « cq « « « W .«. « (SI
•Suiddex }° r ' "JAI
%
a3
a
0
PQ
tn = “ = -
c
1
B
•psdd^x
S39JX JO 'OJSJ
r/*) to un XT) ir> *0 tn in 10 u->
>H IM Ml 1 — t hi »-l M l-i M 1-1
■punojS uiojj ‘;j £
fe qjiiS sjeSaj §Sy
. rt]« «H- -4ft- hJN rt(CN
a mc?v\ot>iOoot^OM
+; vo /o 0 rt m m ^ m
as vomvo t>,o0 mmvo t> 00
•dnoJ£)
MSqum^j Sutspio^
“ 3 B > > nJ G B > >
432
METHODS OF TAPPING,
We are aware that methods which at the time of writing are
obsolete were considered the best at the time of tapping ; a much
favoured one being the Single Incision whose votaries claimed for
it a maximum yield combined with simplicity of operation and
other advantages. It was tried on different sized trees at different
periods but only one result compares favourably with other
methods which read as follows : —
MuDE OF
Incision.
Aggregate
GIRTH AT
3 FT. FROM
GROUND.
Number .
Of TREES
TAPPED.
Times
Tapped.
Total dry
Rubber
OBTAINED.
Average
YIELD
PER 1 REE,
j
Interval
OF
T 4PPING.
lbs.
ozs.
lbs.
ozs.
4
Single
Incision.
21' or
5
15
8
3
1
7
Daily.
Herring
Bone ...
3/ *¥'
10
18
14
14
1
8
Alternate
days.
Do. ...
37 ni"
10
18
14
12J
1
7 i
Do.
Do. ...
37 10"
10
24
16
1
9
Do.
Do. ...
37 4 i"
10
24
i7
si
1
11
Do.
Do. ...
47 sr
TO
24
21
12!
2
2
Do.
Do. ...
83 7 "
15
28
33
8
2
10
Daily.
The single incision is a quick method but the yield of dry
rubber i lb. 7 ozs. per4ree was the maximum for the year (with-
out removing an extravagant amount of bark) while by any of the
other methods tried double the quantity night have been obtained
by another period of tapping ; again, with the single incision, the
trees do not recover well, and the bark is made difficult for any
other method of tapping, and with us +he system has dropped out.
All other methods of tapping differ from single incisions in
the flow of latex, in the latter the flow is fairly uniform and the
last tapping may be as much, if not the most, of any. In 'other
methods the flow reaches a maximum yield about the 9th tapping
which may be more or less maintained for 7 or 8 more tappings
and then diminishes. In Experiment / trials were made with a
modified herring-bone method with a view of ascertaining if the
centre channel could be disposed of, as this being a vertical in-
cision the wound does not heal well and shews a channelled de-
pression for a much longer period than do oblique ncisions. Long
453
oblique incisions were opened at about an angle of 45°» arid re-
versed oblique incisions at an angle of 135 0 , much resembling an
inverted V, this latter trial came out poorly and was not conti-
nued in Experiment II or Experiment III.
In these the single, long oblique, and herring-bone methods
were tried, daily and alternate days. The best result obtained
with the long oblique being undef half an ounce of dry rubber to
the inch of girth, and as there is the additional work of using 10
cups to each tree, while one suffices in the herring-bone method,
an extended trial of the herring-bone was made in Experiment I V.
In this trial one group exceeded half an ounce of dry rubber
to the inch and favoured tapping on alternate days which was
more fully tested in. Experiment V when 7 groups exceeded half
an ounce of rubber to the inch, and excepting 4 groups of small,
stationary, inside trees, the general result was good.
Experiment VI was a continuation of the previous trial but on
big trees and shows that when we are working on a more deve-
loped system of periodical tappings some big averages will be
obtained. The yield of group 5 morning, Experiment 6, is parti-
cularly interesting, see Appendix D, page 148, this group averaged
2 lbs. 10 ozs. per tree and was continued for 28 tappings, the
13th tapping giving 30 ozs. of dry rubber, and the 28th tapping,
24^ ozs.
COAGULATION OF THE LATEX.
By the use of a weak solution of formalin we' were not much
troubled with “ Scrap ” or rubber which had coagulated within
the collecting cups, (although the same remark, under the
same conditions, does not apply for the current year.) A
practically air-tight chamber capable of drying 300 lbs. of rubber
with the aid of Calcium chloride was built during the year but the
materials, bricks, cement, etc., were not sufficiently dry for use in
the year under review (but it is at the time of writing working suc-
cessfully) and all the rubber in the from of “biscuit ” was prepared
in almeirahs and cabinets, the drying being assisted by Calcium
Chloride.
THE EXPERIMENTS REVIEWED.
Undoubtedly striking is the difference in favour of morning
over evening tappings as already noticed in the appendices, and is
due to the pressure of moisture in the mornings by absorption
during the night, and the difference on evenings to the excessive
evaporation during the day ; in fact, with a tree of 3 feet girth at
6 a.m. we have found a contraction on a bright sunny day ex-
ceeding a quarter of an inch by mid-day, and at 5 P.M. the same
tree had not reached early morning measurement. Evening tap-
pings to be successful should be deferred as late in the day as
possible and on well laid out estates might be managed with
artificial light. On rainy cloudy days the trees are swollen to ten-
sion point and the flow of latex excessive but the increase of water
is too evident.
Vio7
434
Another point of interest, so far as these experiments go, is
in favour of tappings during November, December, and January
which may or may not be quite natural. If the lactiferous system
of a Para Rubber tree has no other function than that of sealing
wounds, why there should be an increment of yield during these
months is not evident, but if some reserve material necessary for
the fruiting season which immediately follows is called upon, the
increase of latex may be quite natural.
This brings us to the point that in a natural state, i.e., with
trees which have not been regularly tapped, some months are
more favourable for tapping than others, and the same remark
applies to the growth of new bark. Trees tapped late or early in
the year are the slowest to recover. The resting period, when the
tree is deciduous, or partly so, usually commences in February,
and from then until the end of June when the fruit commences
ripening, we have not been satisfied with tapping trials ; but we
digress to point out that while young trees are uniform in their
flowering periods, older trees become variable and it is quite com-
mon to see one half of a tree deciduous or wintering while the
other half is verdant green. This may account for some of the
vagaries of the tree, of which Jew other trees represent so many.
Indeed, with this species it is difficult to establish any point with-
out an exception. It is therefore possible that periodical tappings
would even bridge over these dormant months for we know that,
up to date, the same trees tapped this year as last at the Botanic
Gardens shew an increment of about 45% for the reason that we
suppose, the trees had been previously tapped and are singularly
responsive on further tapping.
A further point of interest as shewn by these experiments is
the ratio of yield to the size of the tree, here however we except
the age of the trees, which in respect of size vary from under 2
feet to over 6 feet in girth. Following what has been already
stated that these experiments do not go beyond the compartive
yield by different methods we find the following table may be drawn
up : —
Girth at 3 feet from
GROUND.
Comparative yield per inch of girth
AT 3 FEET FROM GROUND.
Under 2 ft. girth
Under \ oz.
From 2 ft. to 2 ft. 6 inches ...
i oz.
From 2 ft. 6 ins. to 3 ft.
Under f oz.
From 3 ft. t<*3 ft. 6 ins.
i oz.
From 3 ft. 6 ins. and over
Over £ oz.
435
Here we are face to face with the drawback of close plant-
ing. This will be best illustrated by quoting from the Register of
Trees and shewing the very small increment of growth for 12
months with trees which had been too closely planted (see num-
bers 100 to 173) and comparing these with a single line and other
trees well distanced as shewing a satisfactory increment of growth
for the year (see numbers 1212 to 1285). In the first lot of trees,
or closely planted ones, the trees were “spokeshaved” or roughly
cleaned for tapping before being measured, and for a tree with
deep corrugated bark due allowance must be made. Only a few
of the second lot of trees, or open planted ones, had been tapped
but this point need not be considered as trees well distanced shew
a satisfactory increment of growth whether tapped or not.
436
CLOSE PLANTING.
Registered
Number of
Tree.
Date of
Measurement
1904.
Girth at 3 ft
from ground
1905
Date of Mea-
surement.
1905.
Increment
for I year.
ft.
in.
ft.
| in.
ft.
in.
IOO
5 - 5-04
2
1
8-5-05
2
if
f
IOI -
U
1
7
8-5-05
1
7 f
f
102
ii
2
5
9 - 5-05
2
5 *
*
103
ii
3
5 *
«
3
6*
if
104
ii
4
of
>>
4
1
i
105
if
3
3
»>
3
4 f
if
106
ii
3
2*
fj
3
4 t
2f
107
2
I of
n
2
11
f
108
a
1
7
tt
1
7
Nil
109
If
1
9 *
fi
1
10
f
IIO
»
3
0
n
3
0
Nil.
III
3
7 i
»
3
10
2|
1 12
6-5-04
3
u
»
3
ii£
f
113
»
3
6
»»
3
6
Nil
1 14
2
9 a
2
9 a
Nil
ns
.»
2
3 }
2
3 f
f
1 1 6
it
3
6
3
8f
2f
117
ii
2
6$
2
8
2f
118
a
4
0
M
4
if
If
119
3
if
»
3
2*
If
120
»
2
5 ?
2
6#
f
121
a
3
1
it
3
1
Nil
122
a
3
10^
J J
3
1 1
*
123
ii
2
nf
fl
2
Hf
f
124
a
2
if
>>
2
if
Nil
125
ti
2
9
*
2
9 i
f
126
n
3
if
>>
3
2f
1
127
ry
4
rt
”
4
7 f
Nil
437
CLOSE PLANTING.
Registered
Number of
Tree.
Date of
Measurement
1904.
Girth at 3 ft.
from ground.
1905
Date of Mea-
surement.
1905.
Increment
for 1 year.
128
6-5-04
ft.
2
in.
ioi
9 - 5 -oS
ft.
2
in.
ft.
in.
1
129
n
I
54
II
1
61
I
130
»
3
2f
IJ
3
3 i
1
*31
>1
3
I
..
3
,1*
f
132
„
2
9 t
»»
2
9 l
Nil
133
■
11
4
2
it
4
2
Nil
134
ji
1
10
it
1
ioi
1
w
135
»j
3
5 l
it
3
51
1
136
11
1
81
n
1
81
1
137
if
2
7
11
2
71
1
138
t>
3
10?
»
3
iol
Nil
139
„
„ 2
»»
2
ill
Nil
140
„
2
2f
2
3 l
f
141
II
2
*
•«»
..
' 2
61
1
142
1 >
3
. 6\
tt
3
61
1
M 3
n
.3
10
»
3
10
Nil
144
r>
2
2!
».
2
2!
Nil
MS
tt
2
io|
it
2
11
1
146
•
2
9 l
tt
2
10I
f
M 7
it
. 2
5
»
2
61 -
il
148
tt
3
3
,t
3
4
1
M 9
tt
3
3
a
3
3 l
1
150
Ji
2
3 i
a
2
4l
i
1 5 I
1 ,
2
7*
n
2
71
Nil
152
>i
2
61
tt
2
71
t
M 3
it
3
51
•
3
7 l
2l
154
it
4
2
tr
4
2i
1
iS 5
it
2
3
tt
2
3 l
1
m
438
CLOSE PLANTING.
Registered
Number of
Tree.
Date of
Measuremen
1904.
Girth at 3 f
from ground
1905.
' Date of Mea
surement.
1905.
Increment
for 1 year.
156
6-5-04
1 ft.
2
in.
Si
9-5-05
ft.
2
in.
1 9f
ri
r 57
t J
1
7 *
M
1
8
i
158
t)
3
7!
3
7f
i
1 59
3
io|
n
3
ioJ
Nil
r6o
n
2
5i
n
2
5#
i
161
n
3
6i
i>
3
10
3*
162
»
3
6
>>
3
6f
f
163
2
5i
2
<5*
1*
164
2
1
»»
2
1
Nil
165
3
3f
3
4
£
166
2
9i
>j
2
9 t
Nil
167
2
4i
2
4 t
Nil
168
2
51
2
51
Nil
169
2
9
f
2
9f
3
T
170
1
9
f
M
i
9
Nil
171
>'
2
10
2
1 of
t
172
3
5t
3
c* S
5t
Nil
173
3
nf
4
n
0
1
4
439
OPEN PLANTING.
Registered
number of
Tree.
Date of
measurement
1904.
Girth at
3 ft. from
ground.
Date of
measurement
1905.
1905
Increment
of
growth.
Ft.
In.
22-6-05
Ft.
In.
Ft,
In.
1212
22-6-04
4
2i
23.6-05
4
6|
4
1213
23-6-04
2
10
2
ill
1214
.»
3
°s
II
3
4 ?
3 i
1215
»
4
2^
M
4
4
l i
1216
n
3
6
71
3
9-4
3 1
1217
>>
2
4 i
})
2
1 ol-
6
1218
»
1
5 s
»
1
io
4 i
1219
»
1
7 i
2
2
4 l
1220
1
9
”
2
ii
...
4 &
1221
»
2
io|
3
of
4 l
1222
1 ’
1
51
»
1
9 !
3 »
1223
*
1
II
2
3 i
4 l
1224
it
1
6|
u'
1
II a
4 a
r
1
”
1
9 t
)>
2
3 i
51
1225 ^
1
M
1
4 a
II
1
8*
3 i
1
1
II
1
7 i
>,
2
0
4 $
1226
M
1
Hi
77
2
4 l
4 l
1227
»
1
9 l
>7
2
2|
4 a
1228
»
2
7
)'
3
2 |
6 1
1229
H
2
1
»>
2
4 l
3#
1230
»
1
8f
71
2
of
4 f
1231
2
H
7)
2
3 i
1232
» '
X
7 7
1
6£
3 a
123 3
»
2
#1
2
9 i
7
1234
•»
1
I of
2
2i
3 l
1235
»
1
I 0 -|
7 7
2
3 l
4 a
1236
»
2
Si
71
2
7 f
2f
1237
M
1
5
)>
1
■ 6f
...
I|
1238
»
1
9#
”
2
2
4 f
440
OPEN PLANTING.
Registered
number of
Tree.
Date of
Measuremen
1904.
T"
Girth at
3 ft. from
ground
J Date of
j Measuremen
1 1905-
|
t X 905 -
Increment of
growth.
!
23-6-04
ft.
in.
23-6-0
ft.
in.
ft.
I in -
1239
»
1
81
2
oi
I
Al
1240
!»
1
8
i
1 of
1241
«
1
4
,1
1
j 6*
2 i
X242
-
I
1
S
„
1
j ?f
j
2i
1243
tJ
1
5 #
1
rt|ao
00
| 3 i
1244
1
1 1
2
: 1
2
1245
1 . -
1
6 i
,,
1
f TO
3 i
1246
1
6 i
1
1 7 l
if
1247
ti
1
io£
2
It
3
124S
n
1
2 l
„
1
5 t
3 i
1249
-
n
1
4
11
1
7 i
3 s
1250
n
1
7 l
„
1
11
3 s
1251
n
1
7
”
1
9 f
2f
1252
»
1
7 i
1
ni
4
1253
1
84
n
r
Hi
I
2f
1254
I
1
9
11
2
1
4
1255
>>
2
2 l
2
5 i
2f
1256
3
9 i
„
4
0
kg'
125 7
2
6
2
3 #
1258
2
6f
2
9 t
3
I 2 S 9
„
2
7
„
2
4 s
1260
. >,
2
4 # !
[
2
4 l
Nil.
1261
2
8f
,,
3
1
4 i
1262
”
2
7 l
>1
2
iof |
3 i
1263
n
3
9 l
1,
4
0 $
3 l
1264
n
2
■ . S|
i
2 |
7 l
i
[
1265
>)
2
11J j
11
3
3 i
4 t
1266
19
2
oi-
1
11
2
3 i ;
2|
44i
OPEN PLANTING.
Registered
Number of
Tree.
Date of
Measurement
1904.
Girth at 3 ft.
from ground.
Date of Mea-
surement
1905.
Girth at 3 ft,
from ground.
Increment
of growth.
23-6-04
ft.
in.
23-6-05
ft. j
• in.
ft.
in.
1267
”
1
9 f
t)
1
II
It
126S
*
1
5
It
1 !
7 k
2|
1269
ft
1
5
n
1
6-1
If
1270
1
7*
1
9f
2l
1271
>»
1
n
2
2!
2f
1272
a
3
2*
n
3
41
2
1273
))
2
7
t j
2
8
I
1274
1
81 '
a
1
9i
il
1275
n
2
0
1 1
2
1
1276
a
4
Sf
it
4
9f
4l
1277
5
o|
5
2l
2-i
1278
2
10
2
11
1
1279
)9
2
iol
3
ol
21
1280
If
2
9-1
.»
3
pi
3#
1281
5
2f
5
81
51
1282
a
1
ioi
1
JOl
1
1283
Jl
2
81
it
3
ol
4
1284
1 4
of
»i
4
61
6
1285
3
81
a
4
ol
4t
6/jj i
442
The ratio of growth all trees varies at different periods, with
the Para rubber tree the best growing period is undoubtedly be-
tween the 6th and 1 5th years during which time ’ trees may
increase from about 24 inches in girth to 60 inches or more, thus
shewing an annual increment of growth from 3-6 inches. We
have shown that trees close! planted do not make a satisfac-
tory increment of growth, and that the yield of rubber increases
with the size ©f the tree from under \ o z. of dry rubber to the
inch of girth for small trees, to over J oz. for large ones and to
further emphasise the fact, and the error of close planting we
submit the following statements taken from the figures of the
experiments : —
Number
of Trees
Tapped.
Average
GIgTH PER
Tree.
j
Aggre- !
GATE
GIRFh.
Dry
Rubber.
Remarks.
Ft. in.
Ft.
in.
Lbs. ozs.
‘ 40
1
1
j
2 3
QO
7 i
H
OO
VI
H^|M
•
Tapped 18 times.
20
4 2
83
7 i
25 6
50
1
1 9
88
7 i
-nhc
00
00
H
i5
3
1
5 8
85
7
J
33 8
i- ’ 1
This we think conclusive, and that the first object of every
Para rubber cultivator should be to aim at well developed trees,
and this can only be attained with trees which have been well
distanced from the time of planting, for as soon as the roots touch
and become intermatted the growth of the tree is impaired. We
also think that whatever be the methods of tappings — whether
those now in vogue, or those to come — the result can only be
safe when the annual increment of growth is up to standard as is
shewn by the figures quoted.
There is still a further objection to close planting by the
reason of the probability of the spread of fungoid disease. We
do not now enter into all the different pests and diseases of Para
rubber which are familiar to readers of the Agricultural Bulletin
but none of which need be regarded seriously excepting the
fungus (Fomes semitostus) this if once established might prove
very serious on estates closely planted, for the roots already inter-
matted remain and the fungus is not apparent until a tree drops.
The thread-like mycelium is exclusively underground and
when well developed some fruits may appear at the base of a tree
but the tree is then doomed and past recover)". Only one thing
pan. be done, to clear a sufficiently large area and isolate the ground
443
which should be kept treated with quick-lime and sulphate of
copper. This treatment where it can be applied will kill the
fungus but the difficulty is to find the fungus before any damage
is done.
CATCH CROPS.
We are led to believe that catch crops are not favourably
considered by many planters ; we would ask if Para trees are
s | planted closely and are to be cut out when the ground is over
grown how such trees are to be regarded ; if not a catch crop what
is it ? As a matter of fact it is a catch crop, and, in all the
circumstances, a very bad one. We think certain catch crops,
Jf with ground carrying trees well distanced would be beneficial,
some monocotyledonous plants, plantains, pineapples, Sanseviera,
Furcraea particularly, and other fibre plants would not be harm-
ful— as a means of safeguarding the crop while paying their way —
some leguminous crops such as ground nuts for one or two
crops which would give the soil activity and “tilth” are- more
rational than some utopian ideas of root pruning which have
reached us.
MANURING PARA TREES.
Manuring young trees with different manures has been
referred to in the Agricultural Bulletin Vol. III. p. 405, and other
numbers. During the year 50 old trees were heavily manured
with Cow manure and although the Para rubber tree is essenti-
ally a surface feeder we did not find that the manure had any
effect either in increment of growth or increase of yield but we
observed that by sweeping all fallen leaves and fruit capsules
around the base of trees a rich “ humus ” is accumulated which
at least serves one good purpose in feeding and retaining a net-
work of active surface roots.
CONCLUSION.
Much remains to be done in connection with rubber. Im-
proved methods of tapping will naturally evolve. The great
problem however, is to bring the dried rubber produced in the
Straits up to the Standard of best Para and the difficulty we
suspect is the same as in the case of gambir or copra and lies in
combating the excessive humidity of the country. Washed
rubber no doubt is an economical and expeditious method but we
fail to see that any improvement in the texture of the rubber is
likely to result in the future over the present by this process. So
far little could be done in this direction as unfortunately the market
does not assist experimental work and only recognizes one class of
rubber and prices are high or low as the rubber compares or
approaches the approved class. Now however as the Government
Analyst will be prepared to test samples experiments will also be
made in different methods of drying.
HENRY N. RIDLEY.
yth November, 1903. R. DERRY.
444
REGISTER OP RAINFALL AT NEGRI
SEMBILAN HOSPITALS FOR OCTOBER, 1S05.
Date.
Seremban.
K. Pilah.
Tampin.
Jelebu.
Port
Dickson.
Mantin.
In.
dcs
1
In.
dcs
In.
dcs
In.
dcs
In.
dcs
j In.
dcs.
I
J
°S
...
02
’
16
2
...
22
...
...
60
...
80
1
21
08
3
...
57
...
30
2
48
...
20
1
83
1
30
4
2
70
...
14
15
03
...
49
67
5
...
...
...
...
23
...
...
...
...
6
...
44
...
85
...
46
...
43
...
04
7
...
93
...
04
...
22
...
47
...
; 54
8
20
2
56
22
1
05
...
10
...
48
9
74
...
07
...
27
...
...
24
10
2
9 i
2
00
73
80
...
1
24
11
...
30
...
39
17
...
09
...
7 i
13
12
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
. . .
13
...
...
...
...
...
02
...
02
14
...
...
...
...
...
* * *
***
...
15
34
...
17
...
01
05
...
05
61
16
26
...
...
40
08
12
i 7
...
...
07
...
...
...
28
18
...
73
...
...
I
3 ?
43
...
...
42
19
...
...
4 i
...
3 i
-
20
1 6
... ...
...
1
21
08
...
21
50
03
1
27
08
22
...
...
...
...
...
...
. . •
30
23
...
...
44
...
...
...
...
...
24
...
...
...
...
30
...
...
...
...
25
...
...
...
...
...
...
..
* , .
26
...
...
...
...
...
02
...
02
...
...
...
27
...
...
...
...
...
...
02
14
...
13
28
...
...
...
...
.. •
,,,
...
29
...
26
...
...
...
5o
...
... 1
...
30
...
...
...
37
...
...
...
02
1
14
...
...
3 i
...
...
...
...
05
...
30
...
...
Total
IO
94
8 |
04
8
39
4
81 1
8 |
58
6
26
State Surgeon’s Office, R VAN GEYZEL,
Sekemban, 10th November, 1905*. Apothecary .
445
SINGAPORE MARKET REPORT.
October } / poy.
Articles.
Quantity
sold.
Highest
price.
Lowest
price.
Tons.
9
1
Coffee — Palembang -
-
20
25.00
23.00
Bali
-
5
22.50
22.50
Liberian
-
55
25.00
23.00
Copra
-
5447
745
6.80
Gambier
-
3,262
8.45
7-374
Cube Gambier, Nos. i and 2
-
397
12.00
1 1. 00
Gutta Percha, 1st quality
-
300.00
1 50.00
Medium
-
200.00
90.00
Lower
-
80.00
12.00
Borneo Rubber I, 2, and 3
-
135-00
90.00
Gutta Jelutong
-
7.25
6.25
Nutmegs, No. 1 10's
-
...
34.00
32.00
No. 8o's -
-
56.50
54.00
Mace, Banda
85.00
83.00
Amboyna
r
...
55-oo
54.00
Pepper, Black
-
73 1
26.374
24.75
White (Sarawak)
-
535
36.372
34-75
Pearl Sago, Small
-
No quota
tion.
Medium
-
. . .
\)
Large
-
...
1?
Sago Flour, No. 1
-
4,275
3-I2|
2.70
No. 2
342
0.90
0-75
Flake Tapioca, Small
-
608
7<20
6-351
Medium
-
* . *
, , ,
Pearl Tapioca, Small
229
6.20
5.80 >
Medium
'
437
6.30
6.00
Bullet
-
* * * J
Tin
-
2,7 2 5
,82.00
80.00
6/u3
Closing fair.
446
Export Telegram to Europe and America.
For Fortnight ending 15th October, 1905.
Wired at 4 p, m, on 16th October, 1905.
Tin
Tons.
Str. Singapore & Penang to United Kingdom &/or 1,250
Do.
„ Do.
.U, S. A.
310
Do.
„ Do.
Continent
375
Gambier
,, Singapore
Glasgow
25
Do.
i, Do.
London
50
Do.
„ Do.
Liverpool
225
Do.
„ Do.
U. K. &/or Continent
85
Cube Gambier
„ Do.
United Kingdom
55
Black Pepper
„ Do.
Do.
IiO
Do.
„ Penang
Do.
...
White Pepper
„ Singapore
Do.
140
Do.
,, Penang
Do.
Pearl Sago
„ Singapore
Do.
Sago flour
„ Do.
London
330
Do.
» Do.
Liverpool
1,025
Do.
„ Do.
Glasgow
75
Tapioca Flake
,, Singapore & Penang
United Kingdom
130
T. Pearl & Bullets
„ Do.
Do.
...
T apioca Flour
„ Penang
Do.
210
Gutta Percha
,, Singapore
Do.
So
Buffalo Hides
„ Do.
Do.
So
Pineapples
„ Do.
Do.
cases 2,000
Gambier
„ Do.
U.S.A.
cases 525
Cube Gambier
„ Do.
Do.
75
Black Pepper
Do.
Do.
55
Do.
11 Penang
Do.
White Pepper
„ Singapore
Do.
100
Do.
„ Penang
Do.
T. Flake & Pearl
„ Singapore & Penang
Do.
370
Nutmegs
„ Do.
Do.
17
Sago Flour
,, Singapore
Do.
250
Pineapples
„ Do.
Do.
cases 200
Do.
„ Do.
Continent
cases 1,000
Gambier
„ Do.
South Continent
80
Do.
„ Do.
North Continent
350
Cube Gambier
„ Do.
Continent
45
Black Pepper
» Do.
South Continent
250
Do.
,, Do.
North Do.
10
Do.
„ Penang
South Do.
Do.
„ Do.
North Do.
...
White Pepper
„ Singapore
South Do.
10
Do.
„ Do.
North Do.
80
Do.
,, ' Penang
South Do.
xo
Do.
„ Do.
North Do.
, ..
Copra
,, Singapore & Penang
Marseilles
2CO
Do.
„ Do.
Odessa
2,850
Do.
„ Do.
Other South Continent
680
Do.
„ Do.
North Continent
800
Sago Flour
„ Do.
Continent
1,200
Tapioca Flake
„ Singapore & Penang
Do.
310
Tapioca Pearl
„ Do.
Do.
190
Copra
„ Singapore.
England
...
44 ?
Gambier
. Sir
Singapore
U. S. A.
Cube Gambier
,,
Do.
Do.
T. Flake and Pearl
Do.
Do.
Sago Flour
Do.
Do.
Gambier
>)
Do.
S. Continent
Copra
J 1
Do.
Marseilles
Black Pepper
J)
Do,
S. Continent
White Pepper
fi
Do.
Do.
Do.
n
Do.
U. S. A.
Pineapples
'»
Do.
Do.
Nutmegs
ti
Do.
Do.
Black Pepper
„
Do.
Do.
Do.
7)
Penang
Do.
White Pepper
n
Do.
Do.
T. Flake and Pearl
M
Do.
Do.
Nutmegs
> )
.Do.
Do
5o tons Gambler | Contracts
40 „ Black Pepper )
Export Telegram to Europe and America.
For Fortnight ending 31st October, 1905.
Wired at .j.30 p. m, on 1st November, 1905.
Tin
Str.
Singapore & Penang
to United Kingdom &/ or
1,125
bo.
,,
Do.
U. S. A.
630
Do.
,,
Do.
Continent
225
Gambier
„
Singapore
Glasgow
♦ , ,
Do.
,,
Do.
London
Do.
Do.
Liverpool
* . .
Do.
,,
. Do.
U. K. &/or Continent
25
Cube Gambier
,,
Do.
United Kingdom
20
Black Pepper
,,
Do. -
Do.
Do.
,,
Penan/
Do.
3 o
White Pepper
,,
Singapore
Do.
100
Do.
>>
Penang
Do.
Pearl Sago
11
Singapore
Do.
40
Sago Flour
it
Do.
London
Do.
' n
Do.
Liverpool
Do.
11
Do.
Glasgow
50
Tapioca Flake „
11
Singapore & Penang
United Kingdom
95
T. Pearl & Bullets
,,
Do.
Do.
50
Tapioca Flour
„
Penang '
Do.
170
Gutta Pdrcha
>1
Singapore
Do.
55
Buffalo Hides
,,
Do.
Do.
25
Pineapples
,,
Do.
Do.
600
Gambier
,,
Do.
U. S. A.
825
Cube Gambier
,,
Do.
Do-
Black Pepper
,,
Do.
Do.
40
Do.
Penang
Do.
60
White Pepper
it
Singapore
Do.
7 °
Do.
,,
Penang
Do.
T. Flake & Pearl
,,
Singapore & Penang
Do.
700
N utmegs
11
Do.
Do.
27
Sago Flour
11
Singapore
Do.
r 75
Pineapples
11
Do.
Do. cases
1,250
6/l/f
Pineapples
Gambier
Do.
Cube Gambier
Black Pepper
Do.
Do.
Do.
White Pepper
Do.
Do.
Do.
Copra
Do.
Do.
Do. .
Sago Flour
Tapioca Flake
Tapioca Pearl
Copra
Gambier
Cube Gambler
T. Flake and Pearl
Sago Flour
Gambier
Copra
Black Pepper
White Pepper
Do.
Pineapples
Nutmegs
Black Pepper
Do.
White Pepper
T. Flake & Pearl
Nutmegs
i ( 8ootons Gambier
400 „ Black Peppei
448
Str. Singapore
„ Do.
„ Do.
„ Do.
„ Do.
„ Do.
,, Penang
„ Do.
Singapore
„ Do.
jj Penang
,, • Do.
„ Singapore & Penang
„ Do.
» Do,
,, Do.
„ Do.
„ Singapore & Penang
,, Do.
,, Singapore
u Do.
„ Do.
Do.
,, Do.
n DO.
„ . Do.
,, Do.
„ Do.
„ Do.
„ Do.
„ Do.
Do.
i, Penang
„ Do.
,, Do.
f , Do.
, J Contracts.
Continent cases
Tons.
2,000
S. Continent
10
N. Continent
250
Continent
70
S. Continent
20
N. Continent
40
S. Continent
...
N. Continent
10
S, Continent
3o
N. Continent
95
S. Continent
N. Continent
Marseilles
700
Odessa
. ..
Other S. Continent
440
N. Continent
1,600
Continent
150-
Continent
575
Continent
200
England
U. S. A.
Do.
Do.
Do.
S. Continent
Marseilles
S. Continent
Do.
U. S. A.
Do.
...
Do.
Do.
, , (
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
c?
v-1
Singapore;
Abstract of Meteorological Readings for the month of October, ryog.
District.
.
Mean Barometrical»Pressure at 32 0
Fah.
•
Maximum in Svn.
Temperature.
Hygrometer.
Prevailing Direction of Winds. j
Total Rainfall.
| Greatest Rainfall during 24 hours.
Mean Dry Bulb.
Maximum.
L
Minimum. j
4 )
bfl
e
d
OS
Mean Wet Bulb.
Vapour Tension.^
Dew Point.
Humidity.
Ins.
°F
°F j °F
°F
°F
°F
Ins.
°F
%
Ins.
Ins.
Kandang Kerbau Hospital Observatory ...
29901
Hi '3
81-3 89-0
75-0
14-0
78-0
■S87
75-8
79
S.E.
4-98
1 -07
Botanic Gardens
...
isiiiii
...
A. B. LEICESTER, D - K - McDOWELL,
Kandang Kerbau Hospital Observatory, Meteorological Observer. Principal Civil Medical Officer, S. S ,
Singapore, 2 6th November, 19015.
Penang.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings in the Prison Observatory for October, /905.
District.
Criminal Prison Observatory
CL
£
o .
C§
OJ oo
in
cs
Temperature.
c
s
c c
rc ai
4) <U
' tsH
Ins. I °F
29*897 1414
<D
bJD
03
°F i °F
79*7 87*9 , 72*8 I 15*1
£
CO
°F
74*6
Colonial Surgeon’s Office,
Penang, i oth November, 1905.
M. E. SCR1VEN,
A ssistant S urgeo n .
Hygrometer.
p
o
CL
o 3
>
G
03
a.
°F
759
°F
69*58
xi
a
Q
bJQ
G
C
a 3
c*
o
% ! Ins.
* I
69 N. W. 16 85
P
o
-c
M
bo
c
" u.
P
X
oJ
-4—*
00
0
+J
03
OJ
u,
O
Ins.
2*58
J. COHN C. FORD,
for Acting Colonial Surgeon, Penang,
Malacca
Abstract of Meteorological Readings for the month of October , igog.
District,
Mean Barometrical Pressure at
32 0 Fah.
Maximum in Sun.
Temperature.
Hygrometer.
Prevailing Direction of Winds.
Total Rainfall.
Greatest Rainfall during 24
hours.
1
Mean Dry Bulb.
j Maximum.
Minimum.
Range.
Mean Wet Bulb.
■
Vapour Tension.
Dew-Point.
Humidity.
Ins.
°F
°F
°F ! °F
op
°F
°p
%
%
Ins.
Ins.
Durian Daun Hos-
j rooo
pital
29*819
156-8
80*4
88*o 1 74‘5
, 1 3*4
8o-i
72-0
90
N.W.
7*28
2 * IO
1
F. B. CROUCHER,
Colonial Surgeon’s Office, Colonial Surgeon , Malacca.
Malacca, \pk November , 1905.
Perak.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings in the various Districts of the State for the month of October , i 9 o$.
Temperature.
Hygrometer.
Greatest rain-
fall during 24
hours.
District.
Maxi-
mum in
Sun.
Mean
Dry
Bulb.
Maxi-
mum.
Mini-
mum.
Range.
Mean
Wet
Bulb.
Vapour
Tension.
Humi-
dity.
Total
Rainfall.
Taiping
Kuala Kangsar
Batu Gajah
Gopeng
Ipoh
Kampar
Teluk Anson
Tapah
Parit Buntar
Bagan Serai
Selama
156
163
80*84
79*80
80*37
79*70
80*23
80*71
80*15
81*4:
8 roo
80*58
93
92
92
92
92
92
93
92
9 i
91
71
7 1
7 1
05
74
73
7 °
70
72
70
63
22
21
2 1
27
18
22
23
20
21
28
76*87
75*61
76*03
7579
77*56
76*99
76*10
76*92
76-42
76*80
371
833
842
840
910
880
848
865
850
. 874
82
82
8r
83
89
85
82
81
80
85
17*10
x 5 73
15*60
13‘83
11*52
24*1 1
1 1*14
21*09
1 1*28
7-05
17*50
2*69
2*97
2*48
3*00
171
5 '60
3-65
5*07
1*87
0*90
1*95
State Surgeon's Office,
M. J. WRIGHT,
Taiping, 15 th November, iqck, c , , « . _
* J State Surgeon , Perak ,
tn/j
Selangor.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings in the various Districts of the Slate for the month of October , 1905.
District.
Mean BarometricaL,Pressure at
32 0 Fan.
Maximum in Sun.
Temperature,
\
Hygrometer.
Prevailing Direction of Winds.
Total Rainfall. 5
i
Greatest Rainfall du.ing 24
hours.
Mean Dry Bulb.
8
3
s
"3
s
Minimum.
Range.
Mean Wet Bulb.
Vapour Tension
Dew Point,
Humidity,
General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur
29-881
1467
79‘4
89-4
70-9
i8-S
75’9
0-831
73 ‘S
80
Calm.
7-66
2-30
1 udoh Gaol Hospital „
...
4-09
1-47
District Hospital .
...
5’55
ri8
,, Klang
s 7 -6
70-3
* 7*3
7'45
1-92
„ Kuala Langat
4-44
r °5
„ Kajang
89-6
72-1
i 7‘5
6-63
1-52
„ Kuala Selangor
...
...
6*90
2-70
,, Kuala Kubu '
90*3
72-1
l8'2
...
15-28
2-37
,, Serendah
...
89-1
73 '9
15-2
...
12-36
3'22
,, Rawang
90-7
70’ 1
20-6
...
14-48
5-25
Beri-beri Hospital, Jeram
...
...
...
...
5’74
1-25
Sabah Bernam ...
■ ...
...
...
574
1-19
State Surgeon’s Office, E. A. O. TRAVERS,
Kuala Lumpur, i 6th November 1905, . State Surgeon, Selangor.
Muar.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings for the month of October , 1905.
District.
Lanadron Estate
PQ
13
u
a
o
Ih
Oj
PQ
A
c
3
CO
43
3
PQ
Q
c
n3
OJ
82°
Tempurature.
E
3
S
X
nj
9°“
72 c
CL)
C
cd
.3
*3
PQ
75 c
Hygrometer.
3
CU
£
o
CL.
£
R}
s
3
3
O
bJD
3
g
<u
1 _<
On
C
c3
P4
+j
o
9‘74
3
1 o
-3
'si-
bJO
3
13
13
.2
■ E3
P4
a
2 '4S
-p
<Ln
4*
Muar, i6//z November , 1905.
ROGER PEARS.
The Duff Development Company, Limited, Kelantan.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings for the. month of October , /905.
£
00
Surgeon’s Office,
gth November , 1905 .
District.
Maximum.
Temperature.
6
d
e
■;s
i
Range.
. )
Total Rainfall.
Mean.
Mean.
Mean.
Inches.
op
°F
°F
Kuala Lebir
890
7 i'o
i8‘0
8‘6i
Ulu Liang
87*5
7i*4
i6’i
I 5’79
Serasa
90-9
00
b
r--
20-1
l6'I2
Kuala Kelantan
84' 8
74*2
i° r 5
10-59
d
^ .
<u
ho
c
rt
<L>
o
Inches.
1 - 58
2- 80
3*50
2*31
JOHN D. GIMLLTTE,
Surgeon.
4~
Ui
LfT
-*»
456
METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.
Table Showing the Daily Results of the Reading of Meteorological Observations taken
at the General Hospital, Seremban, for the Month of October, 1905.
Temperature of radiation.
f Temperature of
radiation.
Wind.
Temperature
of evaporation.
Computed
vapour tension.
Relative
humidity.
Clouds 0 to 10
Cloud
. and weather
Initials.
j Rain.
Date.
Difference sun
and shade.
<D
•U
nJ £
^ -
Direction.
j
1
j
j
9
j H
15
H
1
1 Mean.
Maximum.
Minimum.
Range.
Sun.
Grass.
sl
c «
K ^
<u
s rt
9
H
15
H
9
H
15
H
Mean.
9
H
15
H
Mean.
9
H
[ 15
1 H
Mean.
I 9
1 H
1
i 5
H
21
H
9
H
15
H
21
H
Inches.
i
0 X?
CO
O
82
O
83-5
O
84
^ °
12
O
143
0
59
0
°
1
E.
S.
17*8
O
73 -6
727
in.
0781
.
in.
9*830
in.
0-805
64
76
70-
0
3
3
B
C
C
1
.05
2
83
78
80-5
85
72
13
139
54
...
I ...
E.
S.E.
? 6‘3
76'3
76*3
*905
■906
*905
80
94
s r
0
5
3
B
C
C
.22
3
; 83
84
835
86
71
15
143
57
...
S.E.
S.E.
753
72*
73*6
•877
•802
*839
80
76
78 '
3
5
5
C
C
c
•57
4
! 80
70
75
85
70.
15
137
52
...
...
S.E.
S.E.
73 ’3
66*5
699
■820
■651
*735
80
88
84 *
5
10
5
C
R
c
2.70
,
5
j 82
83
82-5
85
71
14
138
53
...
S.E.
S.E.
73‘6
747
74 *i
•830
•856
■843
76
76
76-
0
3
0
B
C
B
6
82
79
80*5
84
72
12
131
47
...
. . .
E.
S.E.
72-
75*6
73*8
•785
•888
•836
72
90
8r
0
8
2
B
0
B
.44
7
! 85
82
83-5
83
71
12
146
63
. . .
...
S.E.
S.E.
71-8
75*3
735
781
‘877
‘829
64
80
72-
2
8
io
B
0
R
•93
8
83
82
825
83
7 1
12
146
63
, f(
. * .
S.E.
S,
747
72-
73*3
’856
7 8 5
■820
76
72
74 *
0
3
3
B
C
c
.20
9
83
83
§3
84
72
12
146
62
...
S.E.
S.E.
7 i ‘3
78-
74*6
766
•956
•861
68
85
76*5
0
3
2
B
C
B
•74
IO
83
82
82-5
83
72
11
142
59
...
...
E.
N.E.
747
75*3
75 *
•856
•877
•866
76
80
78 *
0
3
5
B
C,
C
2.91
ii
SO
81
80-5
83
72
11
142
59
...
N.E.
N.E.
73*3
7 6 *
74*6
•820
•897
•858
80
85
82'5
3
10
3
C
R
C
.30
12
82
83
82-5
84
72
12
142
58
...
N.E.
N.E.
75 '3
78 *
76-6
*877
•956
•916
80
85
82-5
0
0
2
B
B
B
13
82
84
83
85
72
13
128
43
. . .
N.E.
S.E.
75-3
74 *
74*6
■877
•840
•858
80
72
76-
3
3
2
C
C
B
14
82
85
835
86
72
14
144
58
...
S.E.
S.E.
73*6
71-8
727
*830
781
•805
76
64
70-
0
0
2
B
B
B
15
82
76
79
85
l 2
13
138
53
0...
N.
N.E.
77 '
72 - 6
74 'S
•926
•801
■863
85
89
87-
0
5
5
B
C-
c
•34
16
85
81
83 I
82
72
10
149
67 !
E.
E.
73*4
76*
747
.826
'897
•861
68
85
76 '5
2
3
5
B
C
c
.26
17
81
84
82-5
85
73
12
144
59
...
...
E.
E.
74 '
7 2 '4
73*2
■849
*794
•821
80
68
74 *
3
0
3
C
B
c
vs 8 I
85
89
87
90
72
18
142
S 2 I
...
S.E.
S.
71 -s
711
7 i *4
.781
757
769
64
55
59 5
3
0
0
C
B
E
•78
19
78
82
80
88
72
16
140
52
...
. . .
S.E.
S.E.
72 '9
75 '3
74 'i
*810 |
•877
*843
84
80
82*
0
0
0
B
B
B
20 |
83
88
85-5
89
71
18
145
56
...
S.E.
S.E.
73 '
70*
7 i *5
■810
_
*733
77 i
7 2
55
63*5
0
0
0
B
B
B
.16
21
8c
87
83-5
89
7 2
17
144
55
S.E.
S.E.
73*3
7 2 * 2 |
72*7
■820
.820 1
792
•806
80
61
70*5
0
0
0
B
B
B
.oC
22
80
87
835
88
72
16
147
59
...
S.E.
S.E.
73‘3
72.2
727
792
•806
80
61
70*5 i
0
0
0
B
B
B
23
80
86
83
87
7 1
16
147
60
. ..
... |
S.E.
S.E.
7i'6
72.8 1
72-2
•775
•808
791
75
64
69*5
0
3
5
B
C
C
24
83
88
85-5
S 9
73
16
148
59
...
S.E.
S.E.
73 '
76*5
74*7
.810
* 9 i 3
•861
72
69
7 o '5 i
0
0
2
B
B
B
25
82
90
86
92
73
i 9
147
55 !
...
N.E.
N.E.
73-6
70 ‘S
72*
.830
745 1
787
76
53
64'5
0
0
3
B
B
C
26
83 '
92
87 ’5
94
7 1
23
150
56
. ..
N.E.
N.E.
7 i '3
72 6
7 i *9
.766
■802
784
68
53
60-5
0
0
0
B
B
B
27
80
79
795
85
73
12
109
24
. • .
E.
N.E.
75 '
73-9
74*4
.867
.839
*853
85
85
85 *
3
3
0
C
C
B
28
83
88
85'5
89
72
i 7
146
57
...
S.
S.
73 ’
78-2
75-6
.810
.964
•887
72
73
72*5
0
0
0
B
B
B
29
84
86
85
87
7 2
15
142
55
...
S.E.
S.E.
72-4
72 '8
726
•794
.808
.798
68
64
66-
0
0
5
B
B
C
.26
3 °
75
88
8 i '5
90
73
17
H 5
55
...
...
S.E.
S.E.
73 '3
74*9
74 ' 1
820 j
*
.865
*842
94
65
79*5
5
0
0
C
B
B
3 i 1
80
88
84
90
74
16
144
54
...
...
E.
S.E.
1
733
71-6
72‘4
.820 1
1
.775
•797
80
58
69-
0
o
0
B
B
B
Total 1C94
State Surgeon’s Office,
R. VAN GEYZEL,
Seremban, 8 th November , 1905,
Apothecary .
AGRICULTURAL BULLETIN
OF THE
STRAITS
AND
FEDERATED MALAY STATES.
No. 12.] DECEMBER, 1905. [Vol. IV.
RUBBER PESTS.
Dr. LlM Boon Keng writes that he finds two enemies very
destructive of seedlings a few days old. The first of these is a kind
of slug^ which gnaws off the skin of the seedling which generally
breaks off at the point.
This is doutless the brown slug which has been lately giving a
good deal of trouble at the Botanic Gardens. The animal is about
r| inch long, light brown and very slimy. It only appears towards
dusk, concealing itself in the herbage near during the day. It
attacks the young plants as described by Dr. LlM BOON KENG,
and also gnaws the green parenchyma and the epidermis of the
leaves away leaving only the skeleton of the leaf. It attacks too
the young plants up to six or more feet tall nibbling the bark and
biting away the buds as they appear checkipg seriously the growth
of the young tree, and causing it to put forth many small buds at
the top, which being destroyed as they grow- by the slugs, give the
tree a stunted and diseased appearance. The only remedy seems
to be to collect these animals in the evening by hand and destroy
them. Keeping down the weeds near the nursery wall doubtless
have a good effect, so as to leave no hiding place for them, but a
number of seedlings in boxes on a stand raised above the ground
in a place bare of herbage were on one occasion badly attacked
and many destroyed. They do not seem to attack trees of full
size unless the leaves of the lower branches touch the ground, and
do not seem to climb up the trees except in the cases of the young
stumps referred to.
The second enemy Dr. Lim BOON Keng refers to is a large
cricket probably a Gryllac'ris , and thought by Dr. HANITSCH of the
Museum to be G. tessellata. “This insect saws the seedling right
through leaving a stump 1 to 3 inches tall and carrying off the
tender shoot or pulling up the seeds which it carries to its deep bur-
rows. A couple worked in a nursery bed unnoticed and in a couple
of nights did a lot of damage. I opened up all burrows and captured
the insects in their lair.”
45 §
These crickets are extremely destructive, and one or two seem
t*' be able to move down a great quantity of seedlings in a night.
A bed of melon seedlings was thus destroyed by one of these ani-
mals in a single night, not one seedling out of some hundreds
escaping. Fortunately, as a rule, these animals are not exceedingly
abundant, generally appearing in pairs. Their jaws are very
powerful and f have been biltjen clean through the finger by one
I attempted to catch, which was being pursued by a large brown
sunbird (. Arachnothera :). These birds together with the Bulbul, and
the t.o called Magpie robin, attack these crickets whenever they
find them. The crickets, however, hide during the day in the
ground, or in rolled up leaves on the trees. They are attracted by
light and I have seen them caught in mosquito netting moth-traps
with a light inside. On several occasions I have found them con-
cealed in the clothes in a cupboard, they having flow.i into the light
during the night, and surprised by day fled to hide in the darkest
place they could find.
A fight kept burning at night over a pan of molasses or some
such sticky substance or of water to which kerosine has been added
will catch a large number of crickets but chiefly the smaller and
less destructive kinds. The big rarer ones should be traced to
their burrows whenever damage caused by them has been noticed.
— Editor.
REPORT UPON A VISIT TO GREAT BRITAIN TO
INVESTIGATE THE INDIA= RUBBER INDUSTRY
IN ITS RELATION TO THE GROWTH
AND PREPARATION OF RAW
INDIA=RUBBER IN THE
MALAY PENINSULA.
i. Early in 1905, at the request of the United Planters’
Association of the Federated Malay States, supported by the
Federated Malay States Government, the Government of the
Straits Settlements seconded me on special duty for six months,
and I travelled to Europe to investigate the condition there of the
india-rubber industry with the object of enabling the india-rubber
planters and the producers of the raw material in the East to
supply their rubber in the form most suited to the needs of the
manufacturers, and by bringing the East and West into touch to
stimulate the growth of the rubber-planting industry. I left
Singapore on March 2nd, and arrived in London on March 26th.
2. My first action on reaching London was to set about ob-
taining official introductions to various india-rubber manufacturers
through the Colonial Office, the War Office and the Admiralty,
and to amplify those private introductions with which I had been
supplied in the East.
< ■' . ' , % V ’ . •
459
CREPE RUBBER.
3. Until the spring of 1905 all fine plantation rubber had
been shipped in the form of flat sheets or “ biscuits ” prepared
from the rubber latex by simple coagulation in pans with the ad-
dition of acid, squeezing the coagulated sheet under a hand roller
and then drying with or without the aid of heat. A new method
, % of preparation had been introduced into the Malay States involving
the washing of the coagulated rubber on a power-driven machine
between metal rollers, and the resulting rubber was produced
in the form of crepe or washed sheet. Small samples of this rub-
ber had been submitted to various manufacturers for report, but
the first large shipment with which to test the London market
arrived in London towards the middle of April. In order that this
should be fully brought to the notice of the buyers and manu-
facturers I wrote and published an account of its history and pre-
paration in the “India-Rubber Journal,” whose Editor had always
taken great interest in all attempts to improve plantation rubber.
An offer of samples was also made in the journal, and samples of
the rubber were subsequently sent by me to a number of the prin-
cipal rubber manufacturers. An analysis of the rubber was made
by Mr. Ballantyne, of Chancery Lane, a copy of which was
shown with the sample of the rubber at the sale rooms.
buyers’ views of crepe rubber.
4. The sale took place on Friday, May 12th, in Messrs.
Figgis’ sale rooms, the market was firm and prices were high.
Much interest in the crepe rubber had been shown by the buyers,
but the majority of the opinions openly expressed were adverse
and critical, since the samples were of a kind new to the buyers.
\ When the first lot of the crepe was put up there arose from the
/ head of the room a cry of “We don’t want washed rubber, we
a want to wash our own,” which plainly showed the nature of the
opposition. However, in spite of this open disapproval on the
part of some, the rubber sold at 6/8 and 6/8^ per lb. which was
/ *d.-T\d. above the price on the same day, and in the same sale, of
fine plantation “biscuits” clean and dry and with which no fault
could be found.
5. The cause of this action on the part of the buyers was not
easy to determine. No pretence, was made that the rubber after,
washing was injured or made inferior to “biscuit” or that it would
be less readily accepted by users of plantation rubber, and no ex-
planation other than the statement that washed rubber was not
wanted could be obtained from the objectors themselves. An
explanation of the disapproval’ which seems reasonable, supplying
as it does a personal motive, was obtained later from indirect
sources. Raw rubber is not bought direct by the manufacturers
at auction, but from the “ buyers. ” The latter buy in bulk and
divide their purchases into lots of different qualities (usually into
three) and sell this regraded rubber at different rates, making a
substantial profit on this transaction. A rubber of standard quality,
uniform, clean and pure such as crepe or plantation-washed rubber
460
offers no opportunity for this sorting and grading process and
the profit derived from dealing in it would be less. A further
possible explanation is that with a pure rubber of uniform quality
an opportunity for direct buying on the part of the users of the
material would be afforded.
manufacturers’ views of plantation rubber.
6. By all the manufacturers a very keen and lively interest is
shown in plantation rubber and in the prospect of being able to
obtain rubber of fine quality from the East. The immediate need
is for quantity, and exaggerated views of the amount that is to be
expected in the near future from plantations were prevalent. No
inclination to' deal directly with the producer in small lots of a few
tons was shown by any of the larger manufacturers, the difficulty
being that the supply would be too small and irregular to justify
any departure from methods of buying already in practice, and
added to this is the fact that plantation rubber is of a different
quality and grade from any other in the market, and it requires
treatment different in detail in practical working ; that the rubber
should be clean, dry, and free from mechanical impurity is essen-
tial, and in these respects plantation rubber has already gained a
considerable reputation. That it should be free from any trace of
softening or stickiness is still more important, rubber which is
“tacky” in the slightest degree canqot be relied upon in practical
use. Unfortunately there has been a considerable amount of rub-
ber showing this defect of softness with a sticky and tacky surface,
produced on plantations, and these samples have tended to injure
materially the reputation of plantation rubber.
7. The form in which the rubber is exported — whether in
sheets, biscuits, crepe (washed rubber), or worms, as produced in
Ceylon — is not a matter on which the manufacturers expressed
any very decided opinions. As long as the rubber is evidently dry
and clear enough to show by inspection the absence of any
mechanical impurity, the precise, shape and form of the rubber is
considered of comparatively small importance, although preference
for rubber in the form of crepe was shown by me, and all with
one exception were agreed that it was as good a condition for
packing and exporting rubber as any. The fact that crepe rubber
has been subjected to a washing process is not at present regarded
by the manufacturers as of much advantage. Plantation washed
rubber for ordinary purposes need not be re-washed and re-sheeted,
but this same advantage applies also to clean biscuit, sheet, or
worm rubber. For special purposes all forms of raw rubber would
be re-washed in the factory. The advantage of crepe rubber
would be felt when larger bulk of it is put upon the market
because greater uniformity of quality and appearance could be
maintained. Up to the present this has not been of practical
importance in dealing with small parcels of a few tons or fractions
of tons, but it would be a distinct advantage to have perfect uni-
formity when dealing with large bulk and regular shipments, and
this is secured by the mechanical washing and mixing in bulk
which results in the production of crepe rubber. Although at
present neither clean biscuit, sheet, worm, nor crepe rubber need
be washed for ordinary use, yet if washing and sheeting plantation
rubber is to be dispensed with in the manufactory, it would be a
great advantage when dealing with the larger quantities to have it
ready in the washed and sheeted form, and the advantage of crepe
over other forms would be most marked when dealing with many
tons at a time.
ADULTERATION OF WASHED RUBBER.
8. There is one danger connected with the use of a washing
machine on a plantation. By its means adulteration with inferior
rubber, rubber substitutes, and recovered rubber, could be carried
out without possible detection by eye or hand inspection, although
chemical analysis or practical use of the rubber w T ould reveal the
sophistication. In unprincipled and fraudulent hands such adul-
teration might be carried to a considerable pitch before detection
occurred, and this possibility of misuse should not be lost sight of
by those who are responsible for the purity of the rubber pro-
duced.
ANALYSIS OF RUBBER.
g. The chemical composition of rubber has no consideration
either from the buyers or the manufacturers — the former base
their valuation entirely upon the appearance, feel, smell, and ap-
parent strength of the rubber when pulled about in their hands, the
latter rely chiefly upon the way the rubber works upon their
machines during manufacture, though in a few instances properly
controlled and systematically carried out tests of tensile strength
and elasticity are made with samples of the rubber prepared and
vulcanised. The percentage amount of the impurity which is
inherent in the rubber and which cannot be removed by wash-
ing — that is, the oily, resinous, and nitrogenous, or proteid,
impurity — is practically never determined in the factory, and a
statement of these values with the rubber for sale would neither
be understood nor attended to. In the present state of ignorance
as to the influence of these ingredients upon the working qualities
of the rubber during manufacture, the apathy with which varia-
tions in their amounts in the raw material are regarded is natural
and quite intelligible.
PACKING.
io. There are several points which must be remembered in
packing rubber. Rubber at temperatures above 65°F. is naturally
adhesive, and clean surfaces pressed into contact tend to stick to
one another, though the rubber be dry and show no vestige of
tackiness. Rubber during transit invariably shrinks in bulk owing
chiefly to the action of its own weight in compacting the mass, and
partly perhaps to a natural shrinkage of the rubber substance with
the ageing of the rubber. Dust and grit which find way inside the
cases adhere to the rubber. The care requisite in packing, there-
fore, depends upon the form in which the rubber is shipped. If
462
in clean washed crepe, which it is hoped will be used without fur-
ther washing and sheeting, every care should be taken to prevent
the layers adhering to one another, and to avoid the use of any
packing material which can make a dust out of itself, or which
will admit dust and grit from outside. This can be effected by the
use of clean, well made and fitted cases, which should not contain
more than 80-100 lbs. of rubber, and which might with advantage
be partitioned to prevent the whole of the rubber resting with full
weight upon itself.. No inner lining of common paper or other
friable material should be used — such wrapping is bound to get
broken in transport, and particles of it work their way between
the layers of rubber, and obstinately adhere to the rubber. The
first shipment of crepe rubber which I saw unpacked had been
enclosed in wooden cases with paper lining. When the folds of
separate layers of rubber were pulled apart, a shower of fine grit,
particles of paper, and dust, w T as then thrown out from the rubber
This rubber,, though well, cleaned and washed on the estate, would
for fine work have required re-washing. The separate sheets of
crepe had adhered firmly into one solid mass which required a
crowbar to separate into the original layers, and the whole had
shrunk leaving a space of about an inch between the rubber and the
sides of the case. If any wrapping to prevent the intrusion of dust
and grit be used it should be either smooth and strong such as
sheet zinc lining or else made adherent to the sides of the cases —
as, for instance, strips of smooth paper pasted over the joints in
the wood inside the cases. With less perfectly prepared rubber in
biscuit, or worm form, which will require washing before use, a less
careful form of packing might be adopted. It must be of course
always remembered that the rubber is valued by its appearance very
largely, and uniformity in size and colour of the sheets will have
some influence in determining the price, though really being no
guide to the actual quality of the rubber.
QUALITY OF PLANTATION RUBBER.
11. On this subject I met with a perfect uniformity of opinion
among those who had practically made trial of Straits and Ceylon
rubbers. All were agreed that the rubber was good and very ser-
viceable, but that it was by no means as good as South American
line Para, either hard or soft cure. The plantation rubber is lacking
in nerve, it works soft between the masticating rollers, and its
keeping qualities are inferior to South American Para. After
vulcanisation the tensile strength is less and the elastic recover}^ of
shape after deformation by stretching or compression is less perfect
than shown by South American Para under precisely similar con-
ditions. This result is disappointing and quite contrary to the
report which the late Dr. Weber made on plantation rubber, when
he stated that he found the tensile strength to be superior to that
of South American hard-cure ^ara.
12. That the result of practical experience of the rubber manu-
facturers must be accepted, there can be no question. There was
no hesitation on their part in demonstrating to me the difference
463
in working of the two classes of rubber, and in several cases —
notably at Silvertown, where accurate tests of all rubbers used are
carried out, the recorded figures were submitted to my inspection,
and an inferiority of from 8 per cent, to 15 per cent, with different
samples was shown. The inferiority of plantation rubber is not
only confined to those physical properties which are capable of
immediate measurement, but is also shown in the keeping qualities
of the rubber. I was shown samples from different estates in
Ceylon and the Straits which had been sent home in 1902 and 1903,
and which had been preserved in air-tight jars side by side and in
the same room with samples of jungle rubbers from South America
and Africa. One sample prepared in 1902 was quite perished and
rotten, its elasticity w r as entirely lost, and it was more like a sheet
of dough*than rubber. Other samples of plantation rubber had all
shown marked deterioration in the three years. To compare with
these were samples of South American Para of ages up to and over
forty years which had preserved perfectly their tough and elastic
qualities. This feature of plantation rubber is one which is now
beginning to be realised, and though it probably is due to errors
committed in preparation of the samples in question two or three
years ago, it confirms practical users of rubber in their opinion that-
plantation rubber is not reliable, and certainly not the equal of
South American Para.
13. The cause of the inferiority of plantation rubber when com-
pared with pure South American Para rubber is not known. Some
of the manufacturers believe it to be due to differences in the
locality, climate, and conditions under which the trees are grown ;
others incline to the belief that, the difference in quality is the
result of difference in mode of-curing and exporting, and again the
difference in age of tree from which the rubber is gathered may
very probably be the actual reason for the difference in quality of
the rubber. There is a further suggestion which has, I believe,
never yet been made. The rubber trees of South America which
are tapped are selected both by natural and by artificial selection.
The condition in South America is, I understand, one of jungle in
which the trees affect, and compete with, one another, and this
leads to the survival, by natural selection, of the finest and most
sturdy only of the seedlings. The native in tapping selects the
best of the trees he conveniently can, and here the influence at
work is one leading to the rejection of weak and badly developed
trees. On the plantation after the first selection of the stumps
and seedlings, no further selective process is actively at work. To
determine whether this has any influence on the quality of the
rubber, tapping should be done on specially selected trees, and the
quality of the rubber extracted compared with the average rubber
of that plot of trees. All opinions at present must be looked upon
as guesses at the solution of this question, the only thing certain is
that plantation rubber is inferior, and this certain knowledge is one
of the most important results of my visit to England. I propose
to endeavour to find out in Singapore, and on the plantations
themselves, the actual reasons of this inferiority by experimental
464
work'; and to this end I have had made in Manchester, by a firm
of manufacturers of rubber machinery, at the expense of the
Colonial Government, machines for practically working up and
vulcanising rubber, and I intend with the aid of these machines
to manufacture test pieces of vulcanised rubber from raw rubber
taken from trees grown in various localities of different age and
cured in different ways. With these samples of vulcanised rubber
physical tests of elasticity and tensile strength will be carried out,
and a just comparison of the samples among themselves, and with
true South American Para, can be made. There are special diffi-
culties in carrying out physical tests on india-rubber, and there is
at present no uniform method of stating results ; comparisons
between tests made by different places are therefore of little value,
and it is essential that all the work be done in the same manner on
the same type of apparatus, to eliminate the personal equation and
correctly ascribe to each variant factor in the production of the
raw rubber its consequent variation in the quality of the product.
When this is done I shall be able to say with certainty which
method of preparation gives the best results, and to ascribe cor-
rectly to each and every one of the variable conditions under which
the rubber is produced its true influence on the quality of the
rubber. This work I look upon as being important, and it will,
I trust, settle decisively many of the problems which now are con-
troversial. To see clearly the necessity for the work, and to have
gained the insight into the methods of treating and vulcanising
rubber necessary for carrying it out, are the direct results of my
visit to England, and the time spent in the works of the rubber
manufacturers there.
PREPARATION OF RAW RUBBER.
14. I have already stated I am not at present in a position to
say decisively how the rubber should best be coagulated and pre-
pared for export, but I am. inclined to recommend that as little as
possible in the way of acids or drugs should be added to the milk
or latex. Where a washing machine is used, the milk might,
I think, with advantage be allowed to coagulate b simply standing
for 24 or 36 hours and allowing the natural fermentation, or
scouring, which takes place,, to produce coagulation. This of course
will preclude any possible additions of preservative, such as
formalin or dilute ammonia, to the latex in the cups and it will be
desirable to keep the latek as concentrated as possible. This
natural method is of course only possible where a washing machine
is used, and it involves more time being taken in the actual coagu-
lation process. There is among the manufacturers an objection to
the use of any acid or addition of any drug at all to the rubber
during coagulation, from fear that traces of it might be left in the
rubber, even after washing. If there were an appreciable amount
remaining, it is highly probable that it would give trouble during
working and Vulcanisation of the rubber by acting chemically on
some of the ingredients with which the rubber is mixed and perhaps
producing gases which would form blow holes in the finished goods.
465
These bubbles and blow holes do sometimes occur after vulcanisa-
tion, and care has always to be exercised to prevent their occurrence,
and anything which might lead to their formation has to be care-
fully avoided. Whether this objection to the use of a volatile acid
in curing the rubber is really sound, can only be decided by practical
experience in working with rubbers so cured, but the objection is
actually held, and the fear enterfi ined, by some of the most pro-
minent of the rubber manufacturers in England, and the knowledge
of the fact that acids have been used in the curing of plantation
rubber makes the manufacturer less inclined to use crepe or plan-
tation washed rubber without a further re-washing in the factory.
Another objection to the use of acid preservative, and the addition
of any drug at all to the latex, lies in the possible action of such
drug on the rubber itself. Speaking a priori and considering the
mild chemical character of acetic acid, and the preservative action
of formalin, together with the singularly inert nature of rubber,
I should not expect any harmful action whatever to occur. I have,
however, seen samples of rubber made from latex to which small
amounts of various aniline dyes had been added. Some of the dyes
(the reds especially) had produced most marked effect, making the
rubber hard and brittle, and as readily torn as thick paper. Other
dyes appeared to have had little deleterious effects. This perishing
of the rubber had certainly been brought about by the action of
quite trifling amounts of what are regarded as harmless and inactive
chemicals. I have already mentioned cases of plantation rubber
perishing utterly in a few years from unknown causes. With these
instances before me I feel less inclined to treat the possibility of
acetic acid or formalin causing rubber to perish as absurd or
fanciful, and until the question has been experimentally investigated
I should recommend that, wherever possible, the use of any
chemical whatever be avoided. The position is therefore this —
some of the users of rubber object to the rubber being cured with
acid, and in the absence of experimental evidence we are not
justified in assuming acids, even vegetable ones such as acetic, to
be harmless. To avoid using any coagulant is only practically
possible where a mechanical treatment of the rubber by a washing
machine is in use, and then it is a matter for consideration whether
the use of acid, which has been extremely convenient in assisting
and controlling coagulation, should be discontinued from fear that
such use will produce a rubber which will not stand the test of
time, and which wall perhaps injure in the future the reputation of
plantation grown and cured rubber.
DRYING RUBBER.
15. Until the introduction of mechanical washing of coagulated
rubber and the formation of crepe, drying had been a troublesome
operation in the preparation of rubber for export. Artificial heat
almost alw r ays led to the softening of the rubber, and often through
inefficient control of the temperature caused it to become distinctly
tacky. Crepe rubber dries easily and w^ell if simply hung up in a
dark but airy shed, and the preparation of rubber in this form
466
appeared to have solved the old difficulties associated with drying.
There had been, however, suggestions and proposals to introduce
vacuum drying on estates, and consequently I paid special
attention to the modes of drying washed rubber in use in Great
Britain. In a few manufactories only I found vacuum drying
had been introduced, but the great bulk of washed rubber is
still dried by hanging it up in dark warm rooms. A vacuum
drying chamber is a large iron box, of from ioo to 200 cubic
feet capacity, fitted inside with shallow iron trays with per-
forated bottoms, and heated with steam pipes. The interior is
connected by an iron pipe with an exhaust pump. Wet rubber is
placed in the iron trays, the doors are closed, and the temperature
raised to 120 to 130 degrees F., and the pump started. The air
and water vapour that are drawn out of the chamber are passed
through a condensing • cylinder, fitted with a glass front, and the
condensed vapour is seen falling as a stream of drops of water.
After two or three hours this stream of drops of water ceases, and
the rubber or whatever material is being operated upon is then
regarded as dry and ready for removal. Rubber dried in this way
is always softened by the heating which is necessary if the drying
is to be rapid, and in the opinion of manufacturers who have not
adopted the process the nerve and quality of the rubber are injured,
though with those who have adopted vacuum drying this is not
regarded as very important, chiefly because the cause of softening
is known, and it is regarded as only an anticipation of the softening
which always occurs in mastication of the rubber, the next step in
the process of manufacture. On the other hand, some forms of
rubber — such as very soft African rubbers — cannot be dried in this
way at all because the softening in their case proceeds too far.
The sheets of rubber dried in this way adhere to one another when
packed and stored away, this is of no importance in the factory,
because the rubber is known to be clean and dry and ready for use,
but if plantation rubber were offered in the same soft and adhesive
masses, objection, and serious objection, would naturally be made.
It would be necessary to maintain a lower temperature in the
vacuum chamber than is in common use if this softening of the
rubber is to be entirely avoided, and this w r ould seriously interfere
with the efficiency of the machine. The rate of the evaporation of
the water and drying of the contents depends upon the difference
between the temperature of the vacuum chamber and the tempera-
ture of the condensing chamber, as well as upon the absolute
temperatue of the vacuum chamber. In the tropics it will not be
possible to maintain the condenser below 80 deg. F., which is 20
degrees above the temperature of the condenser in England. This
diminished difference, together with the necessary lowering of the
temperature of the vacuum chamber itself, will seriously impair the
efficiency of the vacuum drier, the only advantage of which is the
rapidity of drying. Taking into consideration the further fact that
plantation rubber is always inclined to be soft, I should certainly
not recommend any form of drying in which artificial heat is
necessary, and which involves the elaboration of machinery and
increase in power in doing what, with washed rubber, can be done
in a more simple, safe and natural manner.
MANUFACTURE OF RUBBER.
1 6. Preliminary Processes. — The various processes through
which raw rubber passes in conversion to rubber goods were, as a
whole, very freely shown to me by the British rubber manufacturers.
Introductions to the leading firms from the War Office and
Admiralty, who are large consumers of rubber goods, were obtained
through the Colonial Office, and these, together with sundry
personal and private introductions, proved to be all that was
necessary, and I met with great consideration, kindness and
courtesy from all with whom I came into contact. In a few cases
there were special and particular processes which were guarded as
trade secrets, but this tendency to secrecy was in inverse pro-
portion to the size and importance of the works. The greatest
interest was shown in plantation rubber and the prospect of a future
easing of the rubber market by supplies from the East, and the
manufacturers realise that there can be no antagonism between
them and the planters, and appreciate the efforts being made to
bring the producer and consumer into closer touch.
17. The raw rubber used is of all kinds and qualities, from clean
pure fine Para to the lowest grades of African rubbers, which are
sticky, black, full of wood, stones and dirt, and all possible
adulterations. Fine Para is delivered in balls weighing from five
or six to a hundred pounds : when cut open the mass is seen to be
made up of concentric shells from & to £ inch in thickness, the
rubber is grey and wet and the, successive laminae are marked by
dark surfaces, showing the stages of successive smoking and
accumulation of the rubber into the balls. This rubber is never
dry, but contains water— the amount usually being about 15 per
cent., but varying from 10 to 20 per cent., and the loss of weight of
fine Para in washing and drying is due to this water contained in
it. In the best qualities there is little or no mechanical impurity,
at most a little surface dirt and grit.
WASHING RAW RUBBER.
18. The first thing to be done is to cut these large balls open
and reduce the largest masses to blocks of five to ten pounds in
^weight. The rubber is then softened by boiling in water, this is
done to enable the washing machines to deal with the lumps.
The rubber is then broken and washed on machines which are
simple in construction and action, and exactly similar in essentials
to the rubber-washing machines in use in the Malay Peninsula on
plantations.
Each machine consists of a pair of steel rollers with roughen -
ed faces, revolving at different speeds on horizontal axes, the faces
of the rollers being in contact or slightly separated from one
another. The rollers are from one to two feet in length, and
usually one foot in diameter. The surfaces are roughened with
grooves cut spirally, or diamond shaped, and of different angles
468
and depths according to the nature of the work. Cold water is
always playing over the surfaces of the rollers in use, and it is
directed usually above the rollers on to the rubber in the hopper,
but in some cases at the sides, with the object of washing the dirt
away from the rubber as the rubber emerges from between the
rollers. The rubber usually goes through two sets of rolls, the first
two break down the big lumps and roughly sheet the rubber, the
second pair of rolls is smoother and in closer contact, and the final
washing and working into a fine-grain uniform sheet is performed
on these. In preparing rubber for the very finest work, such as
cut sheet, a third set of rollers with smooth chilled steel surfaces
is used. The object of these is to crush any particles of sand or
grit which might otherwise be left in the rubber and damage the
knives and spoil the sheet rubber when being cut. The rollers are
always provided with metallic guides to keep the rubber away
from the ends of the rolls and prevent contamination with grease
and oil from the bearings. There is great uniformity of pattern
and general arrangemeut of these washing mills in all the factories,
the differences are in the form of grooving and roughening of the
surfaces. The rollers which produce the smoothest and most uni-
form sheets are those in which the grooves are nearly obliterated,
and in which the surface has become rough with the natural wear
of the metal : rolls in this condition w ould, I think, be most
effective with freshly coagulated latex on an estate.
DRYING.
19. The rubber in the washed or crepe form is wet not only
with surface moisture but with water held in the substance of the
rubber itself. It is usually dried by hanging up the strips in dark
rooms warmed to about 90° F., an operation taking about a week
or ten days. In no case did I notice any artificial circulation of
the air to accelerate the drying. A few manufactories have adopt-
ed vacuum drying, which I have already described and discussed.
There is no sign, however, of this process ousting the older fa-
shioned method of simple air drying.
MASTICATING RUBBER.
20. The next process through which the washed and dryed rub-
ber passes is that of mastication, during which the rubber is torn,
stretched, heated, and generally kneaded about until the toughness
and elasticity, so characteristic of it hitherto, are destroyed, and
the rubber becomes plastic.
The masticating machine consists of two steel rollers with
smooth polished faces, which revolve on horizontal axes in the same
horizontal plane. The distance between the two rolls can be adjust-
ed until they are brought into contact with one another. The rolls
may be of any convenient size, and are usually about 3 feet in
length and 12 to 18 inches in diameter. They are hollow and
heated by injected steam, and may be driven at even or differential
speeds. The machine, in fact, is in many respects similar to a
rubber-washing machine, but differs in the rollers being smooth
469
and being worked hot and dry and revolving more slowly. The
action on the raw rubber is curious, with the rolls separated about
^ of an inch a mass of washed rubber is thrown upon the machine,
it is squeezed into a uniform sheet which is folded over on itself
by the workman, and a slab of rubber produced i to § of an inch
thick, to be fed again -into the machine.
The rubber, softened by the heat of the rolls, behave like so
much putty, accumulating on the inturning faces of the rollers,
heaving and seething as it is made to flow over itself, and gradu-
ally being worked through into a thin sheet, which adheres to the
more slowly moving roll, the one next the workman. As this sheet
comes round, wound on the roll, the workman with a stumpy knife
slices it through, and peels it off, folding it over upon itself to
repeat the operation of being sucked through the roll over and over
again. In its passage reports as of saloon pistols are heard, as the
air imprisoned in the folds of rubber is compressed, and finally
bursts through the writhing mass of distended and flowing rubber,
reluctant to pass through the narrow cleft to freedom. In this
torturing process the fine hard cure South American Para rubber
shows its superior quality and remains tougher and harder than
plantation rubber when perfectly masticated. But even with
South American Para the elasticity and nerve are lost, the rubber
has no spring and can be bent and torn, indented and cut, and is
compliant to any shape which is impressed upon it. The colour
has changed, in the case of plantation rubber from the pale yellow
or brown to a dirty grey, and the whole nature of the material has
undergone a metamorphosis : but what this change really consists
of no one can now tell,
MIXING.
21. The masticated rubber is ready now to be mixed with the
hundred and one ingredients with which it is to be compounded.
The requisite amoutu of sulphur in fine powder is added, with zinc
oxide, red lead, plumbago, asbestos, powdered pumice, recovered
rubber, rubber substitutes, rubber of other grades and qualities,
sulphide of anti ony, lime, vermilion or any of all those substances
which the knowledge and experience of the manufacturer indicate
as necessary for the particular class of goods which the rubber is
destined to become. This mixing is done on rollers of exactly the
same type as used in masticating, but the rolls are kept cooler.
The rubber is put on the machine and the ingredients sprinkled on
it as it passes through the rolls, they are folded between layers of
the rubber, and, after repeated working through the rollers, become
thoroughly incorporated and most intimately mixed into “ dough ”
of which each factory has many types and the precise compositions
of which are the secrets of each firm. The dough thus compound-
ed is rolled up and stored for future use.
VULCANISATION.
22. Vulcanisation is the name given to the act of combining
ndia-rubber and sulphur chemically into a new substance. There
a
470
are two methods of producing the desired ^result, known as the
heat cure and cold cure, respectively.
IN THE HEAT CURE.
2 3- T* 1 ? raw rubber and finely powdered sulphur are mixed
together intimately on a mixing or a masticating machine. If other
ingredients are to be added to the rubber it is done at the same
time that the sulphur is incorporated. Chemical union between
the sulphur and the rubber takes place neither during this mixing
nor afterwards, as long as the mixture is kept cold. If hoWever,
it be heated to about 300° F. chemical union takes place slowly
and the new product, vulcanised rubber, is formed. By far the
greater bulk of rubber is vulcanised in this way. The hot cham-
bers in which the actual heating and vulcanisation are carried out
are of several types, and differ in the way in which the heat is
applied. Where pressure has to be exerted on the rubber during
vulcanisation the goods are vulcanised in moulds, between large
plates of iron, which are hollow and heated by steam. In other
cases, large chambers heated by steam are used and into these the
rubber goods, placed on trays and smothered in French chalk, are
taken. Fabrics coated with rubber — such as sheeting and mack-
intosh cloth — are wound round a large iron drum and immersed in
water, which under pressure is heated to the required temperature.
Long tunnels, 50 or 60 feet long, dry heated by steam, are used
for vulcanising hose pipe and lengths of tubing which cannot be
coiled. The temperature is regulated so as to slowly rise to about
300° F., and after maintenance at that point for a period varying
from half to three hours, it is slowly allowed to drop again.
During vulcanisation a portion of the sulphur combines with the
rubber and forms the new addition compound, which is quite
distinct from raw india-rubber, and from which the sulphur
cannot be removed by any known process. Although the whole
of the rubber is acted upon by the sulphur to greater or lesser
degree, the action is slow and the whole of the sulphur present
is not used up during the short period that the vulcanisation lasts,
and free uncombined sulphur remains disseminated throughout the
vulcanised product. A prolonged period of heating during
vulcanisation diminishes this excess of sulphur, and leads to the
production of more highly vulcanised rubber. The more sulphur
which vulcanised rubber has used and actually combined with, the
darker and harder the product until the extremes of vulcanite and
ebonite are reached. From partially vulcanised goods the excess
of free sulphur can be Chemically extracted, and this is one of the
operations in “ recovered ” vulcanised rubber : the combined
sulphur, however, remains always in the recovered rubber. The
recovery of rubber, therefore, is an operation by which the mecha-
nically mixed substances, such as the excess of sulphur and the
fillings with which the rubber was mixed in manufacture, are
wholly or partially removed, and the residue resulting is worked
up into a form in which it can be blended with new rubber, and
act as a substitute for a portion.
47i
COLD CURE.
24. Although pure sulphur does not combine with india-
rubber at a temparature below 270° F., yet a compound of sulphur
with chlorine — namely, mono-chloride of sulphur — does react on
rubber, and the sulphur is transferred from the chloride of sulphur
to the rubber, and vulcanisation takes place rapidly and complete-
ly at ordinary temperatures. This action with pure chloride of
sulphur is too violent; this agent is therefore diluted and a solu-
tion of 2-3% chloride of sulphur in carbon bisulphide is used. The
article to be vulcanised is immersed in this solution, and left for a
few minutes, the time- varying with the thickness of the rubber ; it
is removed, drained, and finally washed with water. The cham-
ber in which this dipping takes place must be specially arranged
to prevent the fumes of the solution, which are poisonous and
corrosive, coming into contact with the workmen. This cold cure
is used for goods which from their nature would be damaged by
exposure to the temperature required for heat vulcanisation, and
also for goods in which the presence of uncombined or free sulphur
is objectionable, or which have been made by accumulation of rub-
ber by dipping in rubber solution, as is the case with teats for
infants’ bottles, and in some surgical goods.
Solution Making.
25. In dissolving rubber for making solution or pastes for
spreading on fabrics, benzole is the solvent generally used. The
process is simple, the washed dry rubber is soaked in the solvent
and then ground up with the solvent in enclosed boxes, in which
are several pairs of small rollers which thoroughly mix the rubber
and solvent, and according to the relative amounts of rubber and
solvent produce a solution free from lumps. If a solution of plan-
tation rubber be made by shaking rubber and benzole in a glass
bottle a turbid instead of a transparent solution results. This is
due to a small quantity of a resinous body which is always nor-
mally present in all Para rubber, and which is not soluble in ben-
zole. The effect of the mechanical rolling in solution making in
the factory, is ao largely break up and incorporate the flakes
of this resin and render the whole homogeneous and transparent.
Thorough mastication of the rubber also tends to produce this same
result, and rubber after complete mastication is far more inclined
to dissolve to a clear solution in rubber solvents than simple sheet,
biscuit, or crepe rubber. This point I mention because the solu-
tion of samples of rubber in solvents is one test of the purity of
rubber, and the presence of this insoluble resin, which appears
large in bulk, but which is in' reality only a small fraction of a per
cent., is apt to prove disconcerting to the person making the test.
Final Mechanical Processes.
26. The detailed mechanical manufacture of the actual rubber
goods of commerce can only have an indirect interest to the rubber
grower ; but though indirect, it is, I consider, sufficiently great to
justify the inclusion of an account of some of these processes in
Hus
472
this report. Much of my time was spent in acquiring knowledge
* of these details in the various factories I visited. Three facts must
be remembered in order to properly understand the final manufac-
ture of rubber goods. The dough of masticated rubber, mixed with
sulphur and other ingredients, is plastic and has lost the original
elasticity of rubber. It can be cut and moulded, stamped into
shapes, bent and twisted, just a? putty, clay, or a dough of flour
and water may. Rubber dough and masticated rubber are self
adhesive, and cut surfaces can be joined firmly together by simple
pressure, and if the surfaces be brushed over with benzole the pres-
sure required to form a very firm junction is of the slightest. On
Hhating the dough and masticated rubber which contains sulphur,
a chemical change takes place and a chemical compound of rubber
and sulphur is formed which possesses the original elasticity and
toughness of the raw rubber, but in a greater and more perfect
degree. This chemical change is called vulcanisation of the rub-
ber, and it is- the final process to which practically all manufactured
rubber goods are put. It must never be forgotten that raw rubber
and vulcanised rubber are quite different and distinct substances,
their chemical compositions are different, their properties both
physical and chemical are quite distinct, and moreover though the
change from raw rubber to the sulphur compound of rubber — that
is, vulcanised rubber — can be easily effected by simple mixing and
heating to 300° F., the reverse process of removing the sulphur and
reforming raw rubber has never yet been done.
27. The vulcanised rubber goods which the manufacturer
turns out may be divided into three main classes -I, stamped and
moulded goods; II, goods built up of rubber dough and other
material; and III, sheeted and spread rubber goods.
Stamped Good£.
28. All solid rubber articles — such as heel pads, soles for shoes,
vulcanite stoppers, rubber rings, washers, mats, buffers and rubber
pads, billiard cushions, rubber tube, etc.,— are prepared direct from
the dough by stamping them out by hand or by machines, coating
them with french chalk to prevent adhesion, and then vulcanising
simply by heating on trays or in iron moulds. The variety of
goods of this kind is enormous and without limit, and doughs of
most diverse composition from pure rubber and sulphur to mixtures
where rubber is present in very small proportion, are used for this
kind of work. This branch of the manufacture of rubber goods is
as simple to understand as the art of the pastry cook, who stamps
out fancifully shaped little cakes, or twists up curly bread, dredges
with flour and bakes in an oven. The secrets are in the recipes tor
the dough, and the art in the manner of making the shapes and
regulating the baking. There are many ingenious and complicated
machines used to save labour, but some of the simplest articles no
machine can yet produce, and hand labour has to be employed.
Rubber rings of circular cross section, commonly called ‘ umbrella
rings,” have all to be made up by hand. If stamped or moulded
the strength is not to be relied upon. The mode of making is
473
ingenious. A long strip is cut from a thin sheet of dough, and this
is cut into lengths of a few inches, not by simple cross diversions
but by oblique cuts. These lozenge shaped strips are then wrapped
round a smooth circular rod and the sloping ends pressed together.
A band is thus formed round the rod and the line of junction of
the two original ends of the strip passes obliquely across the band.
The workman, or rather workwoman, then rolls up into a ring
v with her fingers this flat band, still upon the rod, and by rolling it
backwards and forwards upon the rod makes a smooth ring of it.
The object of cutting the strip with oblique ends— or “ on the
cross ” — is now evident, because the line of original junction
which naturally would would be the weakest place in the ring, is
spread out over a considerable length of the ring and it is every-
where w T rapped round and supported by whole and unjointed
ayers of rubber, becoming thus nowhere more than a small portion
of any part of the cross section of the ring. Screw stoppers for
bottles are mechanically stamped out of a dough which contains
a high proportion of sulphur and which gives a hard product on
vulcanisation, the dough is stamped in two stages, first a simple
cylindrical rod is made and cut lengths of this are then fed into a
powerful press which produces the final shape. For large and
awkwardly shaped goods, such as the outer covers for pneumatic
tyres, specially devised iron moulds to completely encase the trye
and exert pressure upon it during vulcanisation are prepared.
These moulds are in several portions and have to be fitted round
each tyre separately and the portions keyed into contact. Flexible
rubber tubbing where the rubber is solid and not, as in hose piping
associated with canvas, is squirted out of a machine provided with
compound nozzles, the apertures in which are ring-shaped. The
$ rubber dough is ejected through this annular orifice as a hollow
tube which only requires heat vulcanisation for completion.
A detailed account of the mechanical difficulties encountered
in this part of the work, and the way they are surmounted, would
be of little use and certainly tedious ; the principal underlying all
processes is the same — namely, moulding plastic dough and.then
reproducing the elasticity and tenacity of the rubber goods by
heat and vulcanisation.
29. Rubber goods that are “ built up ” fall naturally into two
classes, according to their being pure dough or compounded with
other materials, as in the case of outer covers for tyres, hose piping,
rubber belting, etc. The general mode of treatment is the same in
all cases, and it is a mixture of joinery and tailoring. The dough
is soft and plastic and so can be rolled to any thickness, cut to any
shape, and applied to the goods in any manner. The dough con-
tains raw rubber and therefore is adhesive, cut edges of it can be
pressed into contact and that with the greatest ease if the edges or
surfaces are previously moistened with any rubber solvent. The
tools necessary for use in this work are consequently of the simplest
— a keen knife or stamps for cutting shapes, a squeejee for pressing
surfaces into contact, and a pot of benzine with a piece of cloth as
^h,V7
474
a sponge for moistening, with this solvent, edges to be stuck
together. The goods built up in this way are, as would be expected,
of extremely diverse character, and in some instances most in-
genious methods to overcome special difficulties are practised.
The process of making india-rubber balls is a case in point.
Rubber dough in the form of sheets is cut into oval pieces of
precise size with a knife and a metal shape, the edges being cut
bevelled. Three of these oval pieces are applied together by their
edges which are firmly cemented with the assistance of a little
benzole, forming very roughly a hollow ball. An aperture of about
an inch in length is left between the edges of two of the pieces,
a' small lump of pure masticated rubber is stuck to the inside of
one of the pieces, and the position of this indicated on the outside
with a spot of paint. A pinch of ammonium carbonate is then put
inside the ball, and after examining the joints inside the ball with
the aid of a little electric glow lamp the aperture is sealed up.
The balls are then put into moulds and vulcanised by heat. The
object of the ammonium carbonate is here seen. This substance
on heating to the temperature used in vulcanisation is completely
vapourised and this vapour exerts some pressure inside the balls,
blowing them out tightly against the spherical moulds in which
they are being heated, rendering the shape exact to the mould and
assisting in ensuring perfection of the joints, on cooling the solid
ammonium carbonate is again reformed and the balls are limp and
under no pressure when removed from the moulds. A hypodermic
needle connected with air under pressure is then thrust into the
ball at the point where the lump of raw rubber was stuck inside.'
The compressed air is turned on and the ball inflated to its proper
size, as shown by a gauge. On withdrawing the needle the
aperture left in the lump of rubber inside, which contained no
sulphur and which is therefore unvulcanised and sticky, at once
closes and seals up the hole, a dab of solution is pricked into the
hole in the outer cover to close this up also, and the ball is ready
for use, ready to be painted and enamelled in gaudy colours and
sold as a toy, or to be covered with cloth and become a tennis ball
for men. Most hollow air-tight rubber goods r one piece are
prepared in this way, the presence of a lump inside may be taken
as a certain indication of it. Hose pipes are constructed by being
built up round iron tubes, 60-100 feet in length. Strips of canvas,
coated with a film of rubber, layers of dough on convas, and again
canvas coated with a film of rubber are wrapped simply, without
any spiral twisting, in layers over the inner core : the layers are all
stuck together and squeejeed into a firm union, and then vulcanised.
To extract the inner iron tube from the vulcanised pipe air is
forced in between this tube and the outer hose pipe, which can
then be easily slipped off the iron tube.
SPREAD AND SHEETED GOODS.
30. This class includes all the waterproof fabrics from the
coarse and heavy waterproof sheet of which the basis is a canvas,
to the lightest and thinnest cloth for wearing apparel. This is one
475
of the very important uses of rubber and is responsible for the
consumption of a great part of the fine Para imported. Here
probably plantation rubber would be of great use, being pale in
colour, clean and free from offensive odour, provided that the
lasting properties of the rubber are not injured in the preparation
Fabrics are coated with rubber in two ways. The rubber may
be made into dough by masticating and mixing with sulphur and
other ingredients and spread in this condition on the fabric by
means of heated rollers ; or the rubber, sulphur and mixings are
made into a paste with a rubber solvent and this paste is spread
on to the fabric by the aid of rollers, and the solvent dried off by
passing the fabric over plates heated by steam.
For vulcanisation, the heat cure, using steam or water, is.
usually adopted. The machinery necessary for spreading rubber
is heavy and costly, the rolls are of polished steel about 2 feet in
diameter and each machine has at least three, and may have four,
rollers arranged vertically above each other on horizontal axes.
The fabric is rolled over the top roller, round between this and the
second, and even tension being thus given to the cloth, and finally
it emerges between the second and third. The rubber as dough
or paste is spread on to the fabric from the face of the third roller,
as the cloth passes between it and the second. There are machines
for spreading simultaneously on both surfaces of the cloth, and
many different details in the actual mechanism of the spreading.
The rolls are called calenders and the machines are very similar to
the calendering machines used in paper manufacture.
31. There are many forms of india-rubber goods which cannot
justly be placed under any of the three previous clauses, but which
deserve some mention here, especially as they are made for the
great part from rubber ot the finest quality and for which planta-
tion-grown rubber is at present never used.
CUT-THREAD AND SHEET.
32. Cut-thread is the name given to rubber in +he form of
thread, or strands of square cross section cut from solid sheets of
rubber already vulcanised. This rubber thread which when fine is
woven into elastic webbing, is all of the best possible quality, and
special nerve, elastic and keeping properties are demanded. The
amount of labour which is actually spent on the rubber would
make it a false economy to use untried cheap rubber, and makers
of cut-thread will not use at present plantation rubber for this
process. Each manufactory has its own special methods for
actually cutting the thread and details of the machines are jealously
guarded as secrets. I was, however, admitted in several instances
and saw rubber being actually cut into threads by multiple scissors
and knives, the thread afterwards being powdered and spooled and
wound into hanks. The details of the cutting I shall not attempt
to describe.
Cut-sheet is made from large blocks or cylinders weighing
about half a ton, the cutting being done by a blade four to six feet
476
long, which is rapidly oscillating with a saw-like movement and
which is well lubricated with water or soap and water. Sheets cut
in this way show a fine striation due to the little ridges which mark
the progress of the knife at each stroke across the block or cylinder.
A good tobacco pouch is usually made from this cut-sheet and
shows the appearance described. The most interesting feature in
making cut-thread or sheet to the man interested in rubber is the
process of preparation of the rubber into blocks ready for the knife.
The utmost care must be taken in the preliminary washing, and if
any grit be in the raw rubber the washed sheet is subjected to a
final cleaning between smooth hardened steel rollers which crush
the grains of sand which are then washed out. The rubber is then
well masticated and mixed with sulphur and whatever other ingre-
dients may be required. The rubber is then forced by hydraulic
pressure into huge iron moulds which will contain sometimes as
much as a ton of rubber and which are rectangular or cylindrical
according to the type of machine which is to cut sheet from them.
Special care has to be taken to prevent the inclusion of air bubbles
in this block of prepared rubber. When rubber is compressed in
this way into cylindrical moulds for manufacture of cut sheet an
axle of steel is forced through the centre of the mass while still in
the iron mould. The moulded mass has then been to be annealed
by gentle heating and maintaining it at a moderate temperature for
some little while. The next process is to harden the block by
freezing for a week in a refrigerating room, where it remains after
removal of the mould until wanted for use. The cutting edge of
the knife, and the surface of the rubber, are plentifully lubricated
with water during cutting, this also- fulfils the further purpose of
thawing the immediate surface of the rubber and bringing the
rubber to a suitable condition of hardness for the operation. The
sheet, when cut must be carefully handled, being still soft and self
adherent, unvulcanised, though perhaps containing mixed sulphur.
DIPPED GOODS.
33. There is still another mode of manufacture of hollow rubber
goods which may be called the dipping process, it is simple in
principle and very similar to the way in which the old-fashioned
tallow dip candles were made. A thick rubber solution is prepared,
usually of pure rubber and solvent, though pigments may be mixed
with it. A mould representing the internal shape of the required
article is dipped into this liquid and withdrawn. The solvent
evaporates leaving a film of rubber on the moulds, the operation is
repeated until the required thickness of rubber is accumulated.
Any manipulation or cleaning of the edges is now carried out and
the rubber still on the mould is vulcanised. Here the “cold cure”
has to be adopted, since the rubber contains no sulphur already
mixed, and the customary solution of 3 per cent, of sulphur chloride
in carbon bisulphide is employed as previously described under the
head of vulcanisation. Certain classes of surgical rubber goods
are made in this fashion and india-rubber teats for feeding bottles
are turned out by the thousand. A final dressing of rubber enamel
477
is often given to goods prepared in other ways, such as enemas and
india-rubber balls, by painting with or dipping in a rubber solution
heavily loaded with pigments.
ELECTRICAL USE.
34. Rubber as an insulator of wires for cable use is being
rapidly discontinued, owing primarily to the high price of raw
rubber. For sea cables rubber has never been much used, gutta
percha of course being superior, but land cables carrying telephone
wires and which at one time were insulated with rubber are now
being largely insulated with dry paper. Heavy cables for electric
light supply are demanding for use in their manufacture^ less and
less rubber every year, its place being taken by papier-mache and
cellulose pulp. For the flexible wiring containing a single or a few
strands of wire, such as are used in houses for electric bells, lights,
and telephone communication, rubber is still employed, paper here
is inadmissible because it is less flexible and also when exposed t£>
the air becomes damp and an inefficient insulator. The wire is
coated with raw unvulcanised rubber by wrapping a narrow strip,
cut from thin sheet, round the wire and pressing the adhesive edges
together. This is done by a machine w'hich feeds the rubber slip
from a spool on to a travelling wire, the pressing together of the
edges is done by running the wire coated with the strip through
guides and between wheels. Paper when used as an insulator is
wound round the wire spirally. The use of rubber for electrical
purposes in the form of ebonite fittings is considerable, but a great
extension of the electrical application of rubber consequent on any
reduction in the price of the raw material must not be expected.
THE INDIA-RUBBER MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION.
35. This Association, which was formed seven years ago to
promote the interest of the rubber trade and “ especially with re-
ference to legislation and to difficulties in the general conduct of
the business, ” is one exclusively of firms possessing india-rubber
works, and includes 25 of the india-rubber manufacturing firms of
Great Britain. General meetings take place once a month in
Manchester, and on June 21st and again on July 20th I attended
the meetings and gave addresses on Plantation Rubber and the
Progress of Rubber Planting in the East. Samples of washed
plantation rubber and of rubber latex, both from Hevea brazilien-
sis, and from Ficus elastica, were shown, and photographs to
illustrate modes of tapping and the growth of the trees were ex-
hibited and described. This opportunity of meeting the heads and
representatives of large manufacturing interests, and of putting the
problems of rubber cultivation and preparation before them from
the planters’ point of view, was of the greatest value, and the views
which I had been gradually ascertaining were perfectly confirmed.
At the same time, the interest taken in England in rubber growing
was stimulated by having the conditions under which that work is
done expounded. I should recommend that communication be
established between the United Planters’ Association and the As-
4?3
sociation of India-rubber Manufacturers, and that questions which
may arise from time to time be freely discussed between the two
Associations, and I am confident that any help which the India-
rubber Manufacturers’ Association could give, in this way, to rub-
ber planting would be freely at the disposal of the United Planters’
Association. The following is the name and address of the Secre-
tary of the Association.
F. B. KNOTT, Esq., a.s.a.a.
2, Cooper Street , Manchester.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE MALAY PENINSULA IN LONDON.
36. At present there is considerable activity shown in London
amongst controllers of capital in rubber planting in Ceylon and
the Malay Peninsula, and every sign of still further advance in this
direction. From the point of view of the future interests of the
industry and the permanent welfare of this country, the greatest
encouragement should be shown to capitalists who intend to
actually open up country and plant, rather than make profit by
company promotion. In this connection there is an unexpected
difficulty in obtaining information in London about the Malay
States, and the conditions under which land can be acquired, held,
and utilised, for planting. This acts as a distinct check to that
class of investor which is most to be encouraged. Cases of this
came under my personal notice; copies of the Land Acts and
Ordinances of the Malay States and of the rules under these Acts
could only be obtained as a favour from the Colonial Office ; con-
ditions of labour supply and all details connected with the manner
and cost of opening, and development of an estate at the present
date, are difficult to obtain by the investing public, and steps might
with • advantage to this country be taken towards supplying the
want, by the establishment of an office in London supplied with
quite "ecent and reliable information on all matters relating to
planting and agriculture in the Malay Peninsula.
P. J. BURGESS, m.a., F.c.s,,
Government Analyst , Singapore .
WATER AND ITS RELATION TO PLANT LIFE.
{Continued from page 364.)
Many and varied are the contrivances that regulate the passage of
water through the plant, and while the structure of many plants
favours the exit of the water that has been absorbed by the roots,
others have developed various devices for reducing this loss to a
minimum.
Those plants which have developed contrivances for expediting
the exit of water, are known as iiygrophytes, and are especially
characteristic of hot moist regions : as a rule, they have a weakly
developed root system, and are provided with an abundance of
479
foliage, the leaves being generally large and thin, with numerous
stomata, and sometimes provided with long dripping points, by
means of which the water is rapidly drained off. In addition to their
very numerous stomata, which as we have seen so materially assist
in the process of transpiration, hygrophytes are often furnished with
special epidermal organs — hydathodes — for excreting water. Resi-
dents in the tropics will have noticed that the forests are often
dripping with moisture during the night and the early hours of the
day, even in a comparatively dry season : this moisture which is
generally believed to be dew, owes its origin, in part, to these special
organs of evaporation ; the excretion being most active during the
night when, owing to the saturated state of the atmosphere, which is
therefore unfavourable to transpiration, the plant becomes over-
charged with moisture. These organs are commonly present on the
leaves of aroids, and the blades of the Indian com and other
grasses.
Dry region plants, or xerophytes, are characteristic of regions
where the external conditions are such as to limit the supply of
water, or to accelerate its exit from the plant. The plants consti-
tuting the flora of such regions, have developed all manner of devices
for effectually checking the loss of water, with the result that few
districts are so dry as to be entirely destitute of vegetation.
The leaves of such plants are often few 7 , and are generally ex-
tremely small, or, as in the case of the Cacti and some Euphorbias,
entirely absent ; thus diminishing the evaporating surface, and re-
ducing the loss of water to a minimum : in such cases the stems are
generally green and enormously swollen, and perform the functions
of leaves. When present the leaves are often very thick and fleshy
as in the Agave, or tough and leathery in texture as in many epiphy-
tic orchids, or in the ‘Rambong’ {Ficus' elastic a) where transpira-
tion is impeded owing to the increased thickness of the epidermis of
the leaves, which is rendered almost imprevious to water.
Sometimes the leaves are covered with a dense felt of hairs as in
the Castilloa, and the £ silver tree J of South Africa ( Leucadendron
argenteum ) this covering protects the leaf against the too powerful
rays of the sun, and to its presence the characteristic grey colouring
of many desert plants is due. Many species of Acacias inhabiting
the hot and dry regions of tropical Africa and Australia are provided
with pinnate leaves ; the leaflets being mobile and capable of closing
together during the hotter part of the day when transpiration is
greatest. There atfe many other adaptations for resisting the loss
of water, such as the rolling up of the leaves as in some of the
grasses, as to prevent the under surface on which the stomata
are absent to the rays of the sun ; and the placing of the leaves
edgewise as in the case of the Eucalyptus of Australia, so as to
minimise the effect of the sun’s rays • but the foregoing examples will
show how perfectly plants have succeeded in accommodating them-
selves to their physical environment, by preventing excessive trans-
piration.
4£o
In addition to thus protecting themselves against excessive trans-
piration, plants inhabiting dry regions have generally a very well
developed root system, the roots sinking into the soil to a great depth
in search of moisture : they also exhibit various other modifications
in their structure. Perhaps the most important of these modifica-
tions, is the development of water storing ceils, which have the
power of storing up water when the supply is temporarily increased,
and yielding it up to the growing ussue when the supply from other
sources falls short of the demand made upon it by the plant The
leaves ot Agaves Fourcroyas and Sansevierias ; the stems of Cacti
and the pseudobulbs of epiphytic orchids, are chiefly made up of
this aqueous tissue ; the cells of which being gorged with water,
constitute a reservoir from which the loss of water due to transpira-
tion is made good. Owing to the presence of this water storing
tissue, these plants can withstand long periods of drought .without
injury , he cut branches of Cacti for example, will remain alive for
weeks or months, even when exposed to the sun, before the stored
up water becomes exhausted.
A familiar example of a plant with water storage tissue, occurs in
the case of th e Purslane {“Gelang Pasir”), an exceedingly commo
although harmless, 'weed on most estates, especially in the neighbour-
hood of cooly lines. It has small fleshy leaves which are used as a
vegetabie by the coolies, and bears little yellow flowers. The
difficulty of eradicating this plant is known only too well to all
ers ,’ as ' thinks t° its special provision of water, each small piece
ot the plant allowed to remain on the ground after hoeing out the
weeds, is generally able to re-establish itself before becoming
emcca e .in fact, cultivation of the soil rather assists in spreading
the plant than otherwise
As a rule, when the leaf surface is much reduced, the plant is
armed with thorns: the terrible spines developed on Cacti and other
xe? ophilous plants, serve as a protection against the depredations of
herbivorous animals.
Xerophilous plants are of course most perfectly developed in hot
deserts as for instance in parts of the United States, Mexico, the
v ahara and parts of Australia ; but also occur in the \rtic regions
(where absorption is limited by the prevailing low temperature) and in
salt marshes, it may seem strange that the plants which form the man-
grove swamps at the mouths of rivers, and on the sea shore, where
there is an unlimited supply of water, should exhibit the same struc-
tural peculiarities as xerophilous or dry region plants: yet an
examination of their organs show that they too^^ve developed thick
eaves, sometimes covered with hairs, are provided with water stor-
ing tissue, and in many respects agree with true xerophytes. The
explanation of this is doubtless to be found in the fact that such
plants hnd a difficulty in separating the water from the salt solu-
tion, and if free transpiration occurred, it would result in an ac-
cumulation of salt within the tissues of the plant which would prove
injurious. A similar structure is characteristic of the plants in-
habiting peat bogs, where the presence of large quantities of humous
481
acids in the soil prevents free absorption : thus we find that among
cultivated plants in this country, ‘Rambong’ ( Ficus elasticci) — -
whose leaves are protected against excessive transpiration by having
an epidermis consisting of three layers — is better adapted to this
class of soil than any other cultivated plant.
Plants inhabiting regions which have a w T ell defined wet and dry
season, as in parts of California ar d South Africa, and the shores
of the Mediterranean, are known as tropophytes, and at the com-
mencement of the dry season shed their leaves and thus protect
themselves against excessive transpiration. In these countries a large
number of plants develope bulbs or tubers which act as reservoirs ;
so that they may become completely dried up and experience ex-
treme drought without injury, passing through the dry season in a
dormant state, and bursting out into fresh growth when the condi-
tions become favourable. Such plants include Yams, Lilies, Etc.
We see therefore, how perfectly plants have accommodated them-
selves to every physical environment, and how necessary it becomes
to study in detail the conditions under which plants occur in nature,
in order to cultivate them to the .best advantage. As illustrating this,
the Mexican rubber tree ( Castilloa spp .) may be cited : this tree has
its branches arranged in whorls, its leaves densely covered with
hairs, and in many respects exhibits the peculiarities of a true
xerophyte, and, as has been proved by experience, is totally unsuited
to the hot moist conditions obtaining in the Malay Peninsula. On
the other hand, the ‘ Para ’ rubber tree ( Hevea hrasiliensis) is almost
a typical hygrophyte, having a large spreading crown, with an
abundance of large thin leaves which favour rapid transpiration, and
although likewise an alien has proved itself to be admirably adapted
to the conditions obtaining in*this country,
( To be continued . )
STANLEY ARDEN,
Superintendent , Experimental Plantations, F M,S.
ANON A PALUSTRIS.
The Alligator apple is one of the Anonas which occurs on muddy
river-banks and such places in the West Indies and Brazil. It has
long been cultivated in the Singapore Botanic Gardens but has
never fruited. Mr. ARDEN sends a ripe fruit growt> in the Batu
Tiga gardens. Like the other anonas it is a large shrub or small
tree with ovate rather stiff leaves. The fruit is 5 inches long and 4
inches through, oval in outline with low marked reticulations much
like the bullock’s heart [A. squamosa). The skin of the fruit yel-
lowish green, the pulp very soft yellow -acid and with a decidedly
unpleasant flavour. The fruit seems to be hardly ever eaten even
in its native country and indeed is said by some persons to be
narcotic and dangerous so that it is mere of a curiosity than an
addition to our dessert.
482
TRADE IN STRAITS SETTLEMENTS IN 1904.
The Annual Report on the Exports from the Straits Settlements
for last year which is just published contains for the first time the
record of the export of Para rubber of which 88 piculs were
exported.
Decreases are shown in Rice to the value of 4^ million dollars ;
Pepper over f million. Coffee over $520,000; Sago and Tapioca
$912,000, while increases are recorded in Nutmegs $390,000, Tea
$220,000 and Betel-nuts and Mace in smaller amount,
o
DETAILED EXPORTS.
Singapore.
Exports of this class from Singapore valued 83^ million dollars,
a decrease of 5-f million.
The largest falling-off is in Rice by nearly 4$ million dollars; Pep-
per by over f of a million, Beche-de-mer by over $600,000, Coffee by
over $520,000, Sago and Tapioca taken together by $912,000,
Opium by $300,000 and Medicine by over $210,000, followed by
Padi, Spirits, Sugar, Live Animals, Lard, Chocolate and Cocoa.
The increases are chiefly seen in dry and salted fish by over
$830,000, Sugar Candy by over $450,000, Nutmegs by nearly
$390,000, Birdnests by over $270,000 and Tea by nearly $220,000,
followed by Arecanuts, Mace and Tobacco and Cigars with smaller
increases.
Penang.
The Exports of this class from Penang valued nearly 20^ mil-
lion dollars, a decrease of over 4! milljon
Rice alone accounts for a decline of 3-^ million dollars, Opium
of $730,000, Arecanuts of nearly $645,000, Live Animals and Sugar
of about $340,000 each, and Nutmegs of over $220,000, followed by
Dry and Salted Fish, Curry Stuffs, Malt Liquors and Sago with
smaller declines.
Cigars and Tobacco showed increased values of over a million
dollars, Pepper of over $400,000 and Coffee of over $120,000.
Malacca.
Malacca with an export value of over 2 fa million dollars gave a
decrease of about $11,000.
Tapioca fell off by $240,000 and Rice by $40,000, but the value
of Swine exported rose by $180,000 and Opium by $72,000.
The Colony.
The falling-off in Coffee was most marked from Ball, 42,000
piculs received in 1903 declining to 14,600 in the year under review
and the import of over 50,000 piculs from the Federated Malay
States also showing a decline of 10,000.
483
Of Pearl Sago 27,000 piculs were sent to the United Kingdom,
an increase of 5,000, to the Continent of Europe about 9,000 piculs,
a decrease of 1,000, the other exports being chiefly to Asiatic
places.
Of Flake Tapioca the United Kingdom received 104,000 piculs,
a decrease of nearly 20,000, and France 52,000 piculs, a decrease
of 19,000, while of the Flour description to the United Kingdom
I 249,000 piculs were sent, a decrease of 27,000, to the United States
37,500, a decrease of 19,000, to France about 10,000 more than
| in 1903, and to Hongkong, 24,000 or much the same as in the
I previous year.
Of Tapioca from Malacca, Singapore recorded 354,500 piculs, of
\ all kinds, from Johore 62,600 piculs, from Java 46,400, and from
the Negri Semhilan 36,200 piculs, being decreases^ of 16,000 piculs
and 14,300 piculs from Malacca and Johore respectively, an increase
of 34,000 piculs from Java and a decrease of 12,000 piculs from the
Negri Sembilan.
Pearl Tapioca exported to the United Kingdom rose to 97,000
piculs, an increase of 3,000, and to Denmark 55> 000 , an increase of
_'8,ooo, but fell to 55,000 in the case of Australia, a decrease of
1 5,000.
Imports of Arecanuts from Johore fell by 37,000 piculs, 'but rose
by nearly 50,000 from Sumatra and by 46,000 from Acheen.
RAW MATERIALS.
Singapore.
Singapore shows a total export of nearly 84-f million dollars,
represented in Sterling by over £8,100,000, being a decrease of
nearly 6f million dollars, but an increase in Sterling of over
£100,000.
In the Produce Class the heavy declines were Gutta Percha by
more than 3^ million dollars, Gambier by nearly 2 T 9 ff million, Rat-
tans by over million, C n pra by over 1 million, Copal, Coconut
Oil and Planks with decrease of about $200,000 each, and Kachang
Oil and Sandalwood with declines of $143,000 and $130,000 res-
pectively.
Borneo Rubber increased, however, by nearly l4- million dollars
followed by Jelutong and Inferior Rubbers with an increase of
$225,000, other increases by smaller amounts being Crude Oil,
Benzine, Nuts and Seeds, etc.
Penang.
Produce slightly decreased, Copra falling by $490,000, and Gutta
Percha by $70,000, met, however, by an increase in India Rubber
of close on $800,000.
The Colony.
The decrease in Copra is seen by reduced quantities of 74,000
piculs from Bali and the Celebes, 37,000 piculs from the Natunas
Islands, and also decreases from other places except Dutch Borneo,
which sent 34,000 piculs more.
4^4
Reduced quantities were sent to Russia by 173,000 piculs, to
Spain by 83,000 and to Belgium|by 33,000 piculs, but France show-
ed the substantial increase of 113,000 piculs.
Imports of Gambier from Johore fell by 88,000 piculs and from
Rhio by 8,000, but rose from all other principal sources.
To the United Kingdom 13,000 more piculs were sent, to France
9.000 more, to Italy 6,000 more and to Calcutta 4,000 more, but to
the United States there was a fall of 34,000 piculs and to Java of.
5,000.
Gutta Percha, exports fell off to the United Kingdom by 14,000
piculs, but increased to Germany by 2,400.
Para Rubber showed 88 piculs sent off to the United Kingdom
and Ceylon.
Jelutong, Rubber, Gutta Soh and other low classes totalled
184.000 piculs, increased quantities being sent to the United King-
dom by 6,000 piculs, to the United States by 20,000, to France by
5.000 and to Germany by 3,000.
Of this Class from Dutch Borneo 136,000 piculs were received,
a marked increase and supplies from Sarawak also recorded more.
India and Borneo Rubbers exported recorded 31,600 piculs, of
which 13,000 piculs were sent to the United Kingdom, 8,600 piculs
to the United States and 6,000 to France.
Gum Copal s nt out recorded 111,000 piculs or slightly under the
1903 exports, of which the United Kingdom received 27,000 piculs,
a decrease of 17,000, the United States of America 54,000 piculs,
an increase of 9,000 and Germany 12,000, an increase of 3,000.
Decreased quantities were received from the Celebes and Nether-
lands Archipelago.
The heavy decrease of 95,000 piculs in Rattan exports is ac-
counted for by the following decreases in supplies : — Dutch Borneo
by 27,000 piculs, Celebes by the same amount, Pahang by 16,000
and Tringganu by 7,000.
GOW, WILSON & STANTON, LIMITED.
India Rubber Market Report.
13, Rood Lane, London, E. C.
igtk December , 1905.
At to-day’s auction^ 77 packages of Ceylon and Straits Settle-
ments Plantation grown rubber were offered, 66 of which were
sold.
The aggregate quantity amounted to nearly four tons and three
quarters, Ceylon contributing 2 \ tons and Straits rather less than
2 \ tons.
485
The Auction was characterised by good competition, fine quality
particularly being in request at up to 6/ 1 4 per lb. There was only
a small quantity of scrap offering, and this was mostly disposed off
at from 3/- per lb. for a small bag of unattractive quality up to 5/3 2
for a fine parcel of Ceylon.
Average Price of Ceylon and Straits Settlements
Plantation Rubber,
66 packages at 5/10* per lb., against 66 packages at 5 \9\ P er lb
[ at last auction. Particulars and prices as follou ;
Ceylon.
Description.
Fine small pale and darkish biscuits
Good palish scrap
Fine pale biscuits, little mouldy
Fine scrap
Fair darkish scrap
Fine palish cloudy biscuits
Good dark biscuits (mouldy)
Good palish scrap
Good ball scrap
Very fine large biscuits, few palish
Mark.
Quantity.
Ellakande
2 cases
Do.
1 case
Heatherley
6 cases
Do.
5 cases
Do.
1 case
Nikakotua
3 case's
Do.
1 case
Do.
4 cases
Do.
1 case
Arapolakanda
R cases
APKAI
Do. B I
4 cases
Gikiyanakande
5 cases
F B
2 cases
1 case
Do.
1 bag
L & P
1 case
FMS
Do.
3 cases
Do.
3 cases
Do.
.2 cases
Do.
1 bag
<§>
3 cases
R R
< 3 >
1 case
S R
Add
1 case
L E
4 cases
Straits
Do.
1 case
Do.
1 case
<ABC>
1 case
Do.
1 bag
Fine dark scrap
Fine hard pale washed worm
Do. do.
Good pale aud darkish biscuits
Good scrap and cuttings
Straits Settlements.
Verv fine pale washed ribbon
Do. (thicker)
Very fine pale washed crape
Very fine amber sheet
Good sheet scrap
Fine clean pressed sheet
Price per lb.
,. 6/1*
5i3i
.. 6/1*
3/3 a
Si-
.. 6/ii
.. 6/of
5/3
4/3
6/1
5/*i
.. Bought in
do.
.. 6 /-
4/9
6/ if
6/1
6/ 1 i
6/1*
S/°ff
6/1
4 cases Very fine palish scored sheet
do. do. little darker
Pressed scrap and Rambong sheet
Good small darkish biscuits
Rejected biscuits and scrap
3/4
6/1
6/if
6/ii
4 ft
6/1
3 /*
486
Mark.
Quantity.
J B
2
1 case
Do.
1 case
B N S
1 case
Do.
1 case
Do.
1 case
Do.
1 case
Do.
1 case
(sp)
1 case
Do.
O
1 case
Description.
Price per lb.
Good hard pressed scrappy sheet
4/ii£
do- do. little
darker 4/1 1£
Very fine thin pale sheet
• 6/ i-j bid
do. do. little darker
do.
do. do. and biscuits
do.
Very fine pale scrap
5/3
Fine scrap
- 5 /R
Good palish biscuits (mouldy)
... 6/1
Good scrap and rejected biscuits
... Bought in
Assam Rubber.
There were also included g bales of Assam Rubber, which com-
prised a very fine invoice of clean plantation quality, which realised
from 4/9 to 4/10 per lb.
487
REGISTER OF RAINFALL AT NEGRI
SEMBILAN HOSPITALS, FOR NOVEMBER, 1905.
Date.
Seremban.
K. Pilah.
Tampin.
Jelebu.
- Port
Dickson.
Mantin.
In.
jdcs.
In.
dcs.
In.
[ '
dcs.
In.
dcs.
In.
dcs.
In.
dcs.
1
1
18
...
...
1
50
47
2
21
...
...
20
...
...
92
■ 3
50
...
...
...
40
...
4
...
...
...
...
11
5
1
OS
07
...
...
76
10
85-
6
55
...
72
...
88
7
...
05
16
...
35
...
05
1
10
05
8
...
34
50
09
...
02
5 o
°3
9
...
33
82
1
08
...
90
31
10
...
20
12
...
...
...
°3
1
65
11
...
79
...
...
12
10
70
12
...
...
...
...
13
...
...
...
...
H
...
...
...
i 5
IS
...
10
...
...
02
...
16
...
...
...
11
...
02
•
09
17
...
•••
...
03
18
...
14
...
85
30
...
30
23
08
19
...
3 i
70
1
46
...
34
95
20
20
...
86
I
2j
26
...
68
. . .
40
27
21
30
...
96
...
60
...
73
17
26
22
3
36
...
...
...
...
13
10
23
3 i
2
03
2
00
58
82
1
32
24
...
07
...
10
...
02
25
...
21
I'
46
...
15
3 o
57
26
...
...
65
25
...
20
...
27
27
...
84
13
30
47
65
96
28
...
...
...
...
...
29
...
...
...
...
30 I
1
94
I
23
62
. . .
85
2
32
2
63
Total
13
57 i
IO
27
8
21
6
95
11
96
10
83
State Surgeon’s Office, r VAN GEYZEL
Seremban, nth December, 1905. * Ab th
488
SINGAPORE MARKET REPORT.
November, 1905.
Articles.
Quantity
sold.
Highest
price.
Lowest
price.
Coffee — Palembang
_
Tons.
1 c.
24.00
$ c -
24.00
Bali -
-
22.50
! 22.50
Liberian
-
3
24.50
22.00
Copra
-
2,535
7 - 47 *
7.00
Gambier
-
3.205
8.10
7 ^
Cube Gambler, Nos. 1 & 2
-
210
1 1 -75
1 1. 00
Gutta Percha, 1st quality
-
300.00
150.00
Medium
-
200.00
90.00
Lower
-
80.00
12.00
Borneo Rubber I, 2, and 3
-
130.00
90.00
Gutta Jelutong
-
6.12^
5*25
Nutmeg^, No. no J s
-
...
32.00
29.00
No. 8o's
-
55.00
50.00
Mace, Banda -
-
...
82.00
78.00
Amboyna
-
...
58.00
54.00
Pepper, Black -
-
499
24*75
23.50
White (Sarawak)
-
7-0
34*75
33 *o°
Pearl Sago, Small
-
205
...
...
Medium
-
20
...
...
Large
-
...
...
...
Sago Flour, No. 1
-
2,695
3 * I2 i I
2.80
No. 2
-
355
.90
.87*
Flake Tapioca, Small
-
757
7.62^
6.60'y
Q
Medium -
-*
*5
cT
6.00 f"
I
Pearl Tapioca, Small .
-
1 14
6.30
Medium -
-
552
6-45
6.ooj ^
Bullet
-
...
...
...
Tin -
-
2,775
84.00
80.87^
Closing fair.
■>
489
SINGAPORE MARKET REPORT.
December , 1905,
Articles.
Coffee — Palembang
Bali
Liberian
Copra
Gambier
Cube Gambier, Nos. 1 and 2
Gutta Percha, 1st quality
Medium
Lower
Borneo Rubber i. 2, and 3
Gutta Jelutong
Nutmegs, No. 1 io’s
N o. 8o J s
Mace, Banda
Amboyna
Pepper, Black
White (Sarawak)
Pearl Sago, Small
Medium
Large-
Sago Flour, No. 1
No. 2
Flake Tapioea, Small
Medium
Pearl Tapioca, Small
Medium
Bullet
Tin
Quantity
sold.
Tons.
3i
L950
2,883
1 55
Highest
price.
966
240
335
2,925
65
438
66
202
294
2,865
$ c-
24.00
20.50
23.00
7.60
8.00
12.75
300.00
200.00
80.00
138.00
5 m
29.50
50.00
78.00
54.00
24.00
33.25
4-53
3.05
0.90
8.05
8.05
7.40
7.80
88.75
Lowest
price.
$ c.
24.00
20.50
22.00
7.00
7.80
11.25
150.00
90.00
12.00
89.00
5.50
29.00
49.00
76.00
52.00
21.37*
31.50
4.25
2.80
0.85
7.80'
8.00
6.25
6 - 7 oj
8 3-75
6/115
490
Export Telegram to Europe and America.
Fortnight ending I$th November , 1905.
Wired at 245 p.m, on 16th December, 1905.'
Tons.
Tin
Str.
Singapore and Penang to United Kingdom &/ or
1.575
Do.
ft
Do.
U. S. A.
280
Do.
»
Do.
Continent
572
Gambier
ft
Singapore
Glasgow
...
Do.
ft
Do.
London
100
Do.
it
Do.
Liverpool
675
Do.
t)
Do.
U. K. &/or Continent
360
Cube Gambier
n
Do.
United Kingdom
120
Black Pepper __
n
Do.
Do.
• 45
Do.
11
Penang
Do.
...
White Pepper
Singapore
Do.
125
Do.
Penang
Do.
10
Pearl SagoT
Singapore
Do.
80
Sago Flour
>1
Do.
London
360
Do.
Do.
Liverpool
1,500
Do.
V,
Do.
Glasgow
125
Tapioca Flake
>>
Singapore & Penang
United Kingdom
260
T. Pearl & Bullets
ii
Do.
Do.
160
Tapioca Flour
Penang
Do.
340
Gutta Percha
ii
Singapore
Do.
125
Buffalo Hides
1?
Do.
Do.
90
Pineapples
b
Do.
Do. cases 2,750
Gambier
Do.
U. S. A.
30
Cube Gambier
*i
Do.
Do.
65
Black Pepper
Do.
Do.
5
Do.
i>
Penang
Do.
...
White Pepper
Singapore
Do.
5
Do.
>1
Penang
Do.
...
T. Pearl
ii
Singapore & Penang
Do.
220
.Jutmegs
n
Do.
Do.
12
Sago Flour
i»
Singapore
Do.
...
Pineapples
„
Do.
Do. cases
1,500
Do.
11
Do.
Continent „
2,500
Gambier
11
Do.
S. Continent
140
Do.
ii
Do.
N. Continent
300
Cube Gambier
h
Do.
Continent
140
Black Pepper
ft
Do.
S. Continent
200
Do.
L
* Do.
N. Continent
...
Do.
ii
Penang
S. Continent
20
Do.
11
Do.
N. Continent
...
White Pepper
Singapore
S. Continent
20
Do.
j,
Do.
N. Continent
70
Do.
ii
Penang
S. Continent
Do.
11
Do.
N. Continent
...
Copra
11
Singapore & Penang
Marseilles
200
Do.
i#
Do.
Odessa
2,800
Do.
11
Do.
Other South Continent
1,100
Do.
tt
Do.
N. Continent
900
Sago Flour
Do.
Continent
1,150
Tapioca Flake
1*
Singapore & Penang
Do.
no
Do. Pearl
i>
Do.
Do.
...
49i
Tapioca Flake
Gambier
Cube Gambier
T. Flake and Pearl
Sago Flour
Gambier
Copra
Black Pepper
White Pepper
Do.
Pineapples
'.Nutmegs
Black Pepper
Do.
White Pepper
T. Flake & Pearl
Nutmegs
Copra
1,650 tons Gambier
320
Str. Singapore & Penang
„ Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Penang
Do.
Do.
Do.
Singapore
ons Gambier 1 „ \
„ Black Pepper } Contracts ’
U. S. A.
Do
Do.
Do.
Do.
S. Continent
Marseilles
S. Continent
Do.
U. S. A.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
England
Tons
35
Export Telegram to Europe and America.
' Fortnight ending 30th November, igo 5.
Wired at 4.45 p.m. on 1st December 1905.
Tin
Do.
Do.
Gambier
Do.
Do.
Do.
Cube Gambier
Black Pepper
Do.
White Pepper
Do.
Pearl Sago
Sago Flour
Do.
Do.
Tapioca Flake
T. Pearl & Bullets
Tapioca Flour
Gutta Percha
Buffalo Hides
Pineapples
Gambier
Cube Gambier
Black Pepper
Do.
White Pepper
Do.
T. Pearl
Nutmegs
Str. Singapore & Penang to
Do.
Do.
Singapore
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Penang
Singapore
Penang
Singapore
Do.
Do.
Do.
Singapore & Penang
Do.
Penang
Singapore
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Penang
Singapore
Penang
Singapore & Penang
Do.
United Kingdom &/or
U. S. A*.
Continent
Glasgow
London
Liverpool
U. K. &/or Continent
United Kingdom
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
London
Liverpool
Glasgow
United Kingdom
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do, case*
U. S. A.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Tons.
2,251
1 10
145
175
550
10
120
220
10
25
250
375
250
480
55
2 5
3,750
i/m
Sago Flour
Sir.
492
Singapore
U. S. A.
Tons.
Pineapples
it
Do.
Do. cases
400
Do,
Do.
Continent
2750
Gambler
Do.
S. Continent
150
Do.
»
Do.
N. Continent
490
Cube Gambier
it
Do.
Continent
no
Black Pepper
,,
Do.
S. Continent
40
Do.
tt
Do.
N. Continent
5
Do.
, It
Penang
S. Continent
...
Do.
Do.
N. Continent
...
White Pepper
tl
Singapore
S. Continent
r 5
■ Do.
Do.
N. Continent
50
Do.
a
Penang
S. Continent
...
Do.
u
Do.
N. Continent
...
Copra
n
Singapore & Penang
Marseilles
220
Do.
n
Do.
Odessa
680
Db.
Do.
Other S. Continent
Do.
Do.
N. Continent
400
Sago Flour
Do.
Continent
180
Tapioca Flake
„
Do.
Continent
85
Tapioca Pearl
it
Do.
Continent
100
Do. Flake
a
Do.
U. S. A,
...
Gambier
it
Do.
Do
Cube Gambier
#J
- Do.
Do.
T. Flake and Pearl
Do.
Do.
Sago Flour
Do.
Do.
...
Gambier
u
Do.
S. Continent
Copra
Do.
Marseilles
Black Pepper
Do.
S. Continent
White Pepper
„
Do.
Do.
Do,
11
Do.
U. S. A,
Pineapples
Do.
Do.
Nutmegs
,,
Do
Do.
Black Pepper
„
Do.
Do.
Do,
it
Penang
Do.
White Pepper
)>
Do.
Do.
T. Flake & Pearl
„
Do.
Do.
...
Nutmegs
„
Do.
0.
Copra
„
Singapore
England
TOO
i 600 tons Gambier 1
.170 ,, Black Pepper )
1
Contracts. •
-
493
Export Telegram to Europe and America.
For Fortnight ending 15th December, 1905.
Wired at 3 p. m. on 16th December, 1905.
Tons.
Tin
Str.
Singapore & Penang to United Kingdom &/ or
L375
Do.
»
Do.
U. S. A.
53i
Do,
Do.
Continent
. 470 >
Gambier
!>
Singapore
Glasgow
Do.
M
Do.
London
2 5
Do.
„
Do.
Liverpool
700
Do.
Mr
Do.
U. K. &/or Continent
25-
Cube Gambier
,,
Do.
United Kingdom
bo
Black Pepper
,,
Do.
Do.
50
Do.
Penang
Do.
• XO
White Pepper
U
Singapore
Do.
80
Do.
,,
Penang
\ Do.
, vt
Pearl Sago
Singapore
Do.
15
Sago flour
„
Do.
London
100
Do.
Do.
Liverpool
1,600
Do.
„
Do.
Glasgow
150
Tapioca Flake
»»
Singapore & Penang
United Kingdom
420
T. Pearl & Bullets
,,
Do.
Do.
625
Tapioca Flour
„
Penang
Do.
300
Gutta Percha
,,
Singapore
Do.
85
Buffalo Hides
„
Do.
Do.
130^
Pineapples
S)
Do.
Do, cases
I 1,500
Gambier
„
Do.
U.S.A.
75
Cube Gambier
»
Do.
Do.
Black Pepper
„
Do.
Do.
Do.
„
Penang
Do.
...
White Pepper
„
Singapore
Do.
5
Do.
„
Penang
Do.
T. Flake & Pearl
„
Singapore & P°nang,
Do.
200 :
Nutmegs
„
Do.
Do.
9
Sago Flour
„
Singapore
Do.
IQQ
Pineapples
M
Do.
Do. cases 1,000
Do.
,»
Do.
Continent
5,750
Gambier
„
Do.
South Continent
no
Do.
Do.
North Continent
6 75
Cube Gambier
n
Do.
Continent
5o
Black Pepper
„
Do.
South Continent
iOO
Do.
))
Do.
North Do.
IOO
Do.
„
Penang
South Do.
IO
Do.
II
Do.
North Do.
...
White Pepper
„
Singapore
South Do.
40
Do.
1)
Do.
North Do.
IIO
Do.
>1
Penang
South Do.
... :
Do.
31
Do.
North Do.
...
Copra
II
Singapore & Penang
Marseilles
200
Do.
»
Do.
Odessa
...
Do.
1, ’
Do.
Other South Continent
680
Do.
It
Do.
North Continent *
1,950
Sago Flour
„
Do.
Continent
825
Tapioca Flake
II
Singapore & Penang
Do.
l8o
Tapioca Pearl
II
Do.
Do.
36o
Do. Flake
„
Do.
U. S. A.
t/izi
494
Tons.
Gambler
Str
Singapore
U. S. A.
...
Cube Gambier
17
Do.
Do.
T. Flake and Pearl
ft
Do.
Do.
Sago Flour
Do.
Do.
Gambier
it
Do.
S. Continent
Copra
it.
Do.
Marseilles
...
Black Pepper
it
Do,
S. Continent
White Pepper
11
Do.
Do.
...
Do.
)l
Do.
U. S. A.
Pineapples
•7
Do.
Do.
...
Nutmegs
II
Do.
Do.
Black Pepper
II
Do.
Do.
Do.
„
Penang
Do.
White Pepper
17
Do.
Do.
...
T. Flake and Pearl
1)
Do.
Do.
Nutmegs
>1
Do.
Do
1,250 tons Gambier
375 » Black Pepper
}
Contracts
Export Telegram to Europe and America.
For Fortnight ending 31st December, 1905.
Wired at 3 p. m. on 2nd January, 1906.
Tin
Str.
Singapore & Penang to United Kingdom &/or
1,481
Do.
17
Do.
U. S. A.
860
Do,
it
Do.
Continent
180
Gambier
„
Singapore
Glasgow
...
Do.
if
Do.
London
150
Do.
it
Do.
Liverpool
...
Do.
71
Do.
U, K. &/or Continent
140
Cube Gambier
Jf
Do.
United Kingdom
...
Black Pepper
77
Do.
Do.
Do.
n
Penang
Do.
White Pepper
17
Singapore
Do.
140
Do.
„
Penang
Do.
...
Pearl Sago
II -
Singapore
Do.
...
Sago Flour
17
Do.
London
...
Do.
II
Do.
Liverpool
...
Do.
f7
Do.
Glasgow
25
Tapioca Flake
„
Singapore & Penang
United Kingdom
85
T. Pearl & Bullets
it
Do.
Do.
So
Tapioca Flour
,»
Penang
Do.
80
Gutta Percha
II
Singapore
Do.
55
Buffalo Hides
II
Do.
Do.
25
Pineapples
77
Do.
Do. cases
10,250
Gambier
»>
Do.
U. S. A.
375
Cube Gambier
II
Dc.
Do-
10
Black Pepper
71
Do.
JOo.
10
Do.
II
Penang
Do.
30
White Pepper
ft
Singapore
Do.
40
Do.
II
Penang
Do.
...
T. Flake & Pearl
tf
Singapore & Penang
Do.
70
Nutmegs
II
Do.
Do.
18
Sago Flour
II
Singapore
Do.
200
Pineapples
II
Do.
Do.
900
495
Tons.
Pineapples
Str.
Singapore
Continent
4,000
Gambier
,,
Do.
S. Continent
...
Do.
,,
Do.
N. Continent
225
Cube Gambier
it
Do.
Continent
65
Black Pepper
,,
Do.
S. Continent
20
Do.
ft
Do.
N. Continent
...
Do.
it
Penanj,
S. Continent
Do.
a
Do.
N. Continent
...
White Pepper
„
Singapore
S. Continent
5
Do.
tt
Do.
N. Continent
25
Do.
„
Penang .
S. Continent
Do.
a
Do.
N. Continent
Copra
„
Singapore & Penang
Marseilles
50
Do.
„
Do.
Odessa
Do.
a
Do.
Other S. Continent
300
Do.
n
Do.
N. Continent
760
Sago Flour
it
Singapore
Continent
160
Tapioca Flake
11
Singapore £ T Penang
Do.
150
Do. Pearl
it
Do.
Do,
300
Do. Flake
t )
Do.
U. S. A.
Gambier
Do.
Do.
Cube Gambier
>1
Do.
Do.
• ••
T. Flake & Pearl
a
Do.
Do.
Sago Flour
Do.
Do,
Gambier
a
Do.
S. Continent
...
Copra
,,
Do.
Marseilles
Black Pepper
it
Do.
S. Continent
White Pepper
it
Do.
Do.
Do.
a
Do.
U. S. A.
Pineapples
it
Do.
Do.
«• *
N utmegs
Do.
Do.
Black Pepper
a
Do.
Do.
...
Do.
a
Penang
Do.
White Pepper
t*
Do.
Do.
T. Flake & Pearl
it
Do.
Do.
Nutmegs
Do.
Do.
Copra
it
Singapore
England
...
1,650 tons Gambier
675 „ Black F
pperl
Contracts.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings for the month of November, igo 5 .
496
1 -sjnoq Pz Suunp 3S9}B9JQ
i F .
1— 1 W
.2 <?>
' S P U !M }° uoipaJiQ SuijiRAaaj
w
&
■A^ipiainpi
<2
U
f
I V
B
■;uioj M9a
En -P
0 10
0
6
X
•U0TSU9X JnodB^\
'tf-
» to
►5 °°
qi n a uis m
O'
fc wo
0 t".
I,
*9 Sue^j
O'
£
s
2
■uinaftuij^
00
b co
0 i>.
«
O.
s
4)
•uinuiixEj^
0 00
■qjna vCiq UB3 W |
Cl,’ 5^
0
•ung ui umuiixBj^
N
0 ro
a zZ ajnsssaj ipaupuioJBa uB9j\]
O'
C O'
— 1 <3\
N
:
fr
0
H
O
rt
£
<u
CO
Pi
H
co
Q
0
IS
4->
CL
i/l :
O
EC
1
• a> !
twO
c
ei
-O
c
a
A. B. LEICESTER, D. K McDowell,
Kandano Kerbau HOSP.TAL Observatory, Meteorological Observer. Principal Civil Medical Officer. S. S.
Singapore, 13^ December, 1905.
Singapore.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings for the month of December, igog.
497
•SJnotf fz Suunp uRjureg
m 00
= £ !
'IPPPH ppj.
Ins.
1 1 '04
' S P U IM P uoirpojiQ SutjiRAajj
M
Z
Hygrometer.
1
■jC^ipiumpj
aa :
1
'PPd
WD
^ fc :
' “
•uoisuoj^ jnodR/y
CO
<2 00 ■
►S 4° •
■qi n a u *m
r N
fa L- :
0 •
|
Temperature,
•aguB-g
.
o 1 s? :
•umuiiuij\[
lO
* fe :
*uinunxej\[
^ £ :
0 00 •
■qpa^a ub9 ial
- v 0
£• :
•ung ui tanuiixEj\[
00
U* O ;
O ■'T <
Q sC pe ajnBSOjj [Bon^au.uj-Bg uE9j\[
M 0 .
c o\ ;
—* c*
* H
O
! 5
H
; co
Q
Kandang Kerbau Hospital Observatory ...
Botanic Gardens
A. B. LEICESTER, D. K. McDOWELL,
Kandang Kerbau Hospital Observatory, Meteorological Observer. Principal Civil Medical Officer, S. S.
Singapore, 12th January, 1906.
Penang.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings in the Prison Observatory for the month of November , igog.
498
•sjnoij fz Suijnp }S3:}B3ir)
c /3
c
1—4
00
p
N
•HBJUIF'JJ l^O l
in
a
0
r 1
00
' S P Ul A\ J° UGIp 3 JIQ StlljlBASjg
£
in
•^jpiumpj UB 3 ]/\[
o\
VO
<L>
o>
s
4 UIOJ M 3 Q UB 3 p\[
[14
0
1-0
b
c^-
0
1-4 1
OQ
>-*
X
•uoisusj^ jnodB^ uB 3 j\T
0
ro
00
c^.
•qi n a u ™n
[14
0
VO '
1-0
0-
"6
I-.
■ 3 §UBg UB 3 JAJ
[14
0
p
1-0
HH
3
4 ->
ri
u
<D
■lunuiiuipj UB 3 ]/\[
[14
0
7 *
V
i"»
04
s
0
t-i
•ainaiixt j\f uB 3 pg
Cl 4
0
Th
C\
00
qing &LQ UB9 M
C14
0
p
00
•tmg ui tunmixB^ nB 3 i/\[
[14
0
M
'HM o z£
DJnSSSJg iBGUpUIOJBg XIB 9 ]AI
cfl
a
H-t
m
ai
CO
b\
District.
u
0
4 J
aJ
>
t-l
<v
C/3
-O
0
a
0
_cn
‘C
Oh
nJ
c
1
"C
u
Colonial Surgeon’s Office, M. E. SCRIVEN, S. LUCY,
*
Penang, nth December , 1905. Assistant Surgeon. Acting Colonial Surgeon , Penang.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings in the Prison Observatory for December , 1905.
499
*sjnoq fyz Suunp ijEjuiEg :js9}E9ir)
to VO
G <M
1 h-t
w 2
J 3 -
* S P U !M i° U 0 IP 9 JIQ SuiqEAOjg
£
z
Hygrometer.
•Tgpimnpj ire 9 j\[
« s
•}UI0d AV.9Q LTB9J\[
*• i
■uoisugj^ jnodeyY UB9 M
00
° ^
' 9 I n H PM
[Xj pv
0 10
Temperature,
•9^UEg UE9J^[
* T
‘UinUlIUl]/\[ UE9|\T
* s
tN.
■mnuiixE]^ UE9j\[
T>
O O
o\
•qjng Ajq ueo^
c* r°
0 -»
00
■ung ut uimuix'Epj uE9j\[
■ cti ^
n N
O LO
9inSS9jg |E0U;9LU0JEg UE9]^[
CO
«n 00
G CO
~ b\
District.
Criminal Prison Observatory ...
Colonial Surgeon’s Office, ' M. E. SCRIVEN, S. LUCY,
PENANG, loth January, 1906. Assistant Surgeon. Acting Colonial Surgeon Penang.
Malacca.
Abstract of Meteor o logical v Readings for the month of November,
t;oo
•sjnoq
Tz Suunp ([BjuiB'y 4S9 ;b 3-[0
o
tn MD
c C,
Ins.
7*68
’ S P U !A\ JO*UOIp9JIQ SuiflEAajg;
£
Hygrometer
•Aijpminpj
5^ ocT i
1UIOJ M9Q
Zi.Z
% !
•UOISU3JL jnod^y
°F
998
•q[ng PA\ urafli
CO
fa O
0 00
Temperature.
•qS u^-g
av
fei Vr
1° “
■iuruuiuip\[
CM
Vf
0 S
•uinuiixBp\[
'O
^ &
*qi n g U ^ 9 W
In -
0 00
*ung ui uinuiiXBj^
b
0 vo
h-(
W o z£
ye ajnssajfj pDUpuioJ'eg ufs]/\[
0
i s
b\
01
District.
1
tn
O ■
ffi
e
3
rt
Q
a
rt -3
■r 1 ™ i
S-l +J
a- I
I
I
s'
, S'
d .»
u -s
D «
o i
g °
PQ
5oi
■a
g
Hi
o
<3
.Jo
£
8
Pa
1°
'*8
<3
<N>
■sjnoq
fz Suunp |jbj
-uiej ;sa;B3JL9
o .s
f-! cd
^ Oh
<u
6
o
>-,
b«
X
con r^w O CA 'O O O O
O fs(^ m^O *n t>- >~ rooGVO
« h b b in 0« co 0. ’d- "H
O *n ci c-'-c-x^o t}- O OO
r> a d O W \p W ON N
'O <b in b in d- b b in b- on
<N H H H'(S| M cq h
g >*
d £
o .2
Do t n
cd C
>£
2 4-» O
cd <u :±!
« J> 3
cd
to
<u
Do
E
<u
H
<L>
bn
c
a
P4
‘5 S
s I
S
3
S OQ
5 D G
cd fci a
£
U
S
H
w h M
00 t'-O0 OO GO
■ in d* tn o w
: oo oo c^oo oo
O r'o h-o rj-
oo d- <n in cn
00 OO oo oo ON
Cq COO d" »•
•00 VO <M NO r-
: oo go oo oo oo
to w VO 00 N
o d-oo p d -
C-.NO io\b oo
r-' t-» tN.
ON i-i oo into
: on ya m on ^
' \b no \b vb t"»
c- o. i>, r-. i>*
O co i— • C"' On
P) M M M h
O M O CO o
cq N <M M (M
i-i 0\i-h in co h cq CNhoo h
r^NO o-tO c-~ c-h l \0 tr^to C-h
■ w <N CM (Nt Ol
On On On On On
ON O' O* o to
CO h N UNCN
o « o o w
00 00 00 00 00
CNI h-f I-, h-1 _
On on on On on
oo oo d - on On
■ r° ^
■ o o « « «
oo oo oo oo oo
d-
m
: vo
cd
co
bn -
C *3
cd
^rh ™
.5 cd° C
c
S'*
D^JM I
fcM • rH
cd cd
+-> u
C <D
3 C/3
, OQ
.E cd w D-iD*j rEi O a
•3 * £ CVS g ^ a*-£ bfijt
^ • 3 cd O §rt cd cd cd qj
H ^ CQ O H H 0-i OQ CO
State Surgeon’s Office, m j WRIGH T,
Taiping, II th December, 1905, • State Surgeon, Perak .
Perak.
Abstract^ ofMeteorological^ Reading in the various^ Districts^ of the State for the month of December, 1905.
502
•sjnoq fz
SuUP.p [[EJUJE^J ;S9;E3jr)
* s P u fA\
JO UOIpQJIQ Sui[IEA9JJ
ion o O t-i O u ~i O
r co co O !>■ COOO
COC<|i-iW«i-iC^CS MfHCM
CO NO ON co coNO On is OnNO
cop pNy~iONpNpC\0Nlsi>
NO O 'O OO in io h On cob) O
V
0)
S
PUIOJ M9Q
10 o
00 00
t"- —t i_n
t'-'OO CO
: co cooo >-< co
■ CO 00 0.00 CO
»->
bjo
Ps
X
*11018119^ jnodBA
1 ^ Cl 0 N ON tOsO 0 O Th
0. UO \N •'+■ O 'XNO UNNN
1 ooooooco On r co oo co co co
*qi n a ^A\ UB3 P\[
co C-.NO 0 'cf-
t" ^ O O On
b vb vb vb
0. 0. jx
O ^ co ON O
: _-to 00 0 0
i>.\b NO
K t\K t\ N
•9Sueg;
0 un cno 00
o n N N w
: (N unonh <m
• w N W N Cl.
a3
u
3
4-1
cd
t-i
‘umunuipq
OnOO ONO Nto 00 h 0 On
NO NO O-NO O. 0. is, VO IS [-'■'O
0)
Cl
s
0)
H
uinuiixEpq
1-1 co Cd (S) fv]
ON On C\ ON On
CM 1— 1 O *— • >— '
■ ON on on On On
•q[ng Xjq UE 9f\[
't^-COCMNO ‘CO 4 unn N
d- ON IT) CO in
b b n b h
00 00 00 00 00
co 10 m co ^
^ O Cl M M
00 00 CO co 00
•ung ui iumutXEj\[
*qE^ Q z£ }E 9JHSS9JJ
{BDU}9UlOJEg UE9[\
H
o
5
h
'd'
10
'xf-
: 'o
cd
cn
“•a
rt .2.
bj=M *
.S
rt 3
£
„ <a
H bic
X §
O
t—H 1
OZ *
> «
^ 'Ll
. Co
NO
o
•ON
- b
w 5&
o §
fa S-
fa «
O *S
co
z *-
M S" 1
S _ 5--“rt
^ 1-5 “••
C dJ
3 C/3
K o S
->-* cd C
txo^£5
nj 3 cd O 2 . ^ <U rf cd cd o>
H ^ pq O hhdPw
O
w -
o o
p 4 Z'
5 E
c /3 13
W
H ^
<3
H
C/3
Selangor.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings in the various Districts of the State for the month of September , f<)og.
5°3
sjnoq fz Sunnp
p^ P CO ON ON p O O
OHNMH'niscimoiqci
onoo <n iooo 'too -tnimruo
OO 0\ O'. ■-< Op CO _t>. ui Tj- p\ o
ioiotsts m o b\ *o\ Vn V* in n
‘ S P U !M JO
uoi;o9jiq SuipBAajj
X
s
<D
H
•^tptuinjq
•^UIOJ M3Q
•uoisusj,
jnodiey\
•qi^a
UT33JM
■ranuiiuij^
■uinuiixBj\[
qjng XiQ
U-B3JV
•tmg ui uinimxiej^
■q B a ye 0jnss9Jj
O OJ ON
b. io o
ON CO Nj- Nj-
• « ■ h 4 b
t- • c> t^'o
CO NO <P
■ o on o
■ 0\00 On
=
W).
OJ k A kJ-i
B ry)» rt M
« -sS-S-lsirta
* 3-3
‘SktC 'Ek
“3 , «
°o h n
IS ^
S'g.s
OeuQ
6 Av<l
State Surgeon’s Office, e. A, O. TRAVERS,
Kuala- Lumpur, 22 nd December ^ 1905. State Surgeon, Selangor.
Selangor.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings in the various Districts of the State for the month of December ,
504
■sjnoq
£uunp
*n B J a ! e a i b i°x
' S P U IAV J° U0JP9JIQ SuiJIHAgjJ
•Xqpiuinpj
oo o. m <n uo O O too a
Ti-'O Cfl N h. h « ir> tF ^p p
« H H Cl U r)cq m'n - co‘h
C\ CO « C^OO cl o tJ -00 00 UOOO
J3
15
u
TUtOd M9Q
uoisuaj^ .modB^\
■qi n a ^av
■9SuB^i
•umuiiaij\[
tunuiixBp\[
7 ± ON p pvp
: tv : oo : bv K «
* — • -i • w -< ex
NO Cn o ON o
O • M M b\
r-v ' r-> r^'O
NO NO ONNO
•qing Xiq ubq^j
•ung ui uinuiix’Bj^
sjnssgjj [ROLqguioxeg uR9jy
J . .
to
C
nj
i-g
* g
- a,
&.K cx,
m _ tn
o-Q O
m tea:
l w -m
D Oi
G T3 In
<0 3 •-
c 5 q- q
^ tort M
0/3 cti C ro g
£13.2,15 rt «
3 « 3 3 ij
W WWW Wot
„ £
2 2
W -
rO J 3
.« cd
i-i -Q
v rt
row
_ *
^ -I
w %
OT -
o g
J s
u
o
s
£ p
State Surgeon’s Office,
Kuala Lumpur, i 5th January s igo6.
bfi
d
d
A
cQ
d.
6/m
o
CN
0
V
1
>
x>
*
3
O)
i
£
§
.«
1
■3
v.
505
■sjnoij fz Sm
-jnp [jsjuiB-g ;s3^3J0
N ifl ts ts 100 O
^ O « _ H N |0
|_| g_ NH KH
‘II^i u ! B H I^X
•spuiyw P
U0JP3JJQ guTIlBASJJ
I)
E
£
W)
X
X
rf
I*
w
CL,
E
0 )
H
•X;[piiunH
•^UIOJ M 9 Q
‘uotsuaj^ jnod^
qi n a pm.
•uimuiuij^
•uirumxBj^
■qi n a u ^n
•ung ui uinunxej^
o z £ P a-msssjg
I^DUPUIOJ^Q UE9J\[
E-
U
5
H
00
"+ ro O 't vjp, 00
<0 tJ- p\00 ONVp
H W u~» Tf t-. io
ro CO 1-1 ^ if) ro
p\ CO vO 00 CO O
fs. O* Cv 10 CO (O
o o o p o o
o do bi m h «
tN, VO VO KN r-
O O O p O O
<*o cm cm ** o
0 \ Ch CTi Ov Ov 0 \
a
3
o fc
c
rt
4->
c
rt
3
*
S 3 e £ 'rt
p. i; « 4 ) 3
uala Lipis, K. TAMBY,
gtk December , 1905.
for State Surgeon , Pakang.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings for the month of November ,
506
'Sjnoij H Suunp
1 1*84
1
•spui^\\ jo uoipoaiQ SuijiBAOij
;
*X;ipicunpj
: ■
o*
a
S
•;uiod M 3 Q
:
0
S-.
X
•tioisusj^ jnodB^
}
•qing U ™M
0
CO
tN.
*9 SuB^J
0
o-
; <l 3
M
£
"rt
•umuiiuipj
0
M
C—
<U
Qh
S
<D
H
O
ON
OO
•q[ng Aiq UB 9 JAT
°o
00
•ung ui uinunxBj\[
i
gzZ ojnssaj^ [Bouipuio-iBa '^W
;
a>
4 ->
DlS“ RICT
Lanadron Esta
Muar, 3 rd December, 1905. ' ROGER PEARS.
The Duff Development Company, Limited, Kelantan.
Abstract of Meteorological Readings for the month of November, 1905.
5 ‘- i
■sjnoq Vz Sui
-jnp ;s9;B9jr)
<D
43
co co
p\ VO
"d- 3-
10 'tf-
t^;ox
p
cd
J-i
<L>
Ph
s
OJ
H
0)
43
O
VO
vb
M CM
n- m
o
CO
O. CO 1-1
si
H <0
W
hJ
o
£
a:
o
• VO 1-t
oi vb ^ o
oj o *1 >1 cm
£
*uinaimip\[
* tn
o o
UO C" C—
■innuiix-Bj^
ni'fa K 10 h CM
CD O 00 00 0\ 00
f- 1
u
l-H
DC
H
t n
Q
J .1
'rt
P
i_J rt
rn
c
ri
4-1
S 3
Jt
13
W
u .0
w
u
>-<
fa
fa
O
z
o
w
o
PH
D
CO
10
o
c*
*?S
508
METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.
Table Showing the Daily Results of the Reading of
at the General Hospital, Seremban, for the
Meteorological Observations taken
Month of November, 1905.
Date.
Temperature of radiation.
1 Temperature of
radiation.
Wind.
Temperature
of evaporation.
Computed
irapour tension.
Relative
humidity.
Clouds 0 to 10.
Cloud
and weather
Initials.
Rain.
9
H
i 5
H
Mean.
Maximum.
Minimum.
Range.
Sun
Difference sun
and shade.
Grass.
Difference shade j
and radiation. i
Direction.
9
H
15
H
Mean.
)
A
15
H
Mean.
9
H
|
i 5
| H
| Mean.
9
H
15
H
21
H
9
H
15
H
21
H
Inches.
9
H
15
H
0
O
O
O
O
°
O
O
0
O
O
*
±L
in.
in.
i 0
j
1
78
80
! 79
80
74
7 6
144
64
S.E.
S.E.
74 '6
75 *
74-8
0’
57
0*867
0-862
89
85
87
10
5
5
R
C
C
I‘l8
2
82
79
80-5
82
72
10
142
60
_
...
S.E.
E.
72-
739
72-9
85
■839
•812
72
85
7 S 5
! 0
3
0
j_>
C
B
■21
3
83
83
S 3
85
73
12
138
53
...
...
E.
S.I
74'7
7 & 3
75*5
56
'905
■880
76
80
78 '
| 0
5
B
C
B
•50
4
78
79
78-5
85
72
13
133
48
S.E.
S.E.
74 '6
75*6
757
57
-888
'872
'9
90
895
1 2
2
0
B
B
B
5
80
S 3
81 '3
84
72
12
133
49
S.E.
S.E.
75 *
76‘3
75 '6
(67
■905
•886
8 5
80
82*5
1 0
5
5
B
C
C
!'°5
6
82
78
80
84
72
12
142
5 s *
...
S.E.
S.E.
73‘6
74-6
74 ' 1
^30
•857
'843
76
89
82-5
o
3
5
B
C
C
'55
7
78
84
81
85
7 2
13
132
47
E.
E.
74-6
74 '
743
*57
■840
■89S
89
72
8o‘5
2
0
2
B
B
B
"°5
8
81
87
84
89
7 1
l8
138
49
...
E.
E.
74 *
77 ‘i
75'5
49
'933
•891
! 80
73
76'5
O
0
10
B
B
R
'34
9
80
83
81 '5
84
7 2
12
140
56
E.
E.
75 '
747
74 '8
567
■856
•861
85
76
80-5
3
5
5
C
C
C
'33
10
78
83
8o'5
84
73
II
138
54
S.E.
E.
729
7 6 '3
74 *i
>10
‘905
•852
84
80
82-
3
3
5
C
C
C
20
11
83
80
81 '5
85
73
12
151
66
S.E.
S.E.
747
75 '
74-8
•
556
•867
■861
76
85
80-5
0
2
0
B
B
B
79
12
81
87
84
88
73
15
i 5 i
63
S.E.
S.E.
74 '
77 'i
75*5
49
■939
'891
80
73
76‘5
0
0
0
B
B
B
13
85
87
86
89
73
l6
151
62
N.E.
N.E.
73 '4
73'9
786
526
■833
•831
68
65
66-5
0
0
2
B
B
B
14
81
85
83
86
73
13
149
63
...
N.E.
S.E.
76*
767
76-3
597
927
■909
85
76
80-5
0
0
2
B
B
B
15
81
81
81
86
7 1
15
141
55
S.E.
N.E.
7° '9
74 '
72-4
1
757
'8 4 2
‘803
72
80
76-
0
2
5
B
B
C
*10
16
79
82
80-5
83
72
II
103
20
E.
E.
73*9
73'6
737
•j
*39
■830
•834
85
76
80-5
3
3
5
C
C
C
17
80
86
83
88
73
15
127
39
S.E,
E.
75 '
72-8
73 '9
•
367
808
'837
85
64
74'5
2
0
5
B
B
C
18 1
77
82
79'5
82
72
IO
132
50
, . .
N.E.
S.E.
73*6
75’3
74 ‘4
'^29 .
877
•853
89
80
845
5
3
3
C
C
C
'14
19
84
75
79*5
84
74
10
145
61
S.E.
S.E.
74 '
7 . 3‘3
73‘6
K
-820
•830
7 2
94
83 '
0
10
5
B
R
C
' 3 i
. 20
80
75
77'5
84
72
12
145
61
...
S.E.
S.E.
728
75 '
75 9
■po8-
868
■838.
64
100
82-
0
10
5
B
R
'C
86
21 !
78
89
835
91
7 i
20
147
56
E.
S.E.
74 '6
74 '3
74'4
1
57
*847
■852
89
61
75 ‘
3
0
S
C
B
C
■30
22
82
84
83
84
72
12
147 ;
63
, , .
E.
S.E.
75'3
757
75 5
77
■886
■882
80
76
78 '
0
3
io
B
C
R
3'36
23
79
84
81 '5
86
73
13
151 i
65
...
S.E.
S.w.
75'6
75-7
75'6
si;
•888
■888
90
76
83 ' j
3
3
io
C
C
R
■31
24
81
88
84-5
89
72
17
146 |
57
S.E.
N.E.
74 '
73-3
73'6
‘
49
*819
£
4 ^
80
61
70S
3
0
5
C
B
C
25
78
81
795
82
72
IO
149
67
...
...
S.E.
E.
74'6
77 '
75‘8
1
57
•847
•902
89
90
895
2
5
10
B
C
R
•21
26
79
75 i
77
82
74
8
142 1
60
...
E.
E.
75’6
733
744
■f
88
’820
•854 ;
90
94
92-
3
8
5
C
0
C
27
78
75 I
76S
82
74
8
127
45 !
...
S.E.
E.
729
75 '
739
10
■86 8
•839
84
100
92-
3 .
10
5
C
R
C
•84
28
77
81
79
88
68
20
136
48
...
E.
E
7 1 '9
76.
73 '9
1
83
•897
•840
84
85
845
5
2
0
c
B
B
29
79
82 !
80-5
83
70
13
140 1
57
...
E.
E.
72-3
70-3
7 i *3
'7
93
■742
.767
80
68
74 '
0
5
2
B
C
B
30
77
84 |
I
805
86 |
I
1
72
14
HI
55
'
E.
'
S.E.
1
70 -2
74 '
72- 1
■
39
•840
-789
1
79
72
75'5
0
0
5
B
B
C
1 ’94
Total 13*57
State Surgeon’s Office,
Seremban, Stk December , 1905.
R. VAN GEYZEL,
A pothecary.
Singapore :
KELLY & WALSH, LIMITED.
32, Raffles Place and r 94, Orchard Road,
1905 .
Conserved by
National Archives
of Singapore
Live Music
Archive
Librivox
Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland
Museum of Art
Internet
Arcade
Console Living Room
Open Library
American
Libraries
TV News
Understanding
9/11